TWO Blackburn men involved in a "brutal and vicious" street attack have both been ordered to do 200 hours unpaid community work.

The victim, John Paul McAlery, suffered a fractured jaw that needed a metal plate and screws inserted.

A witness to the violent incident, in Darwen Street, Blackburn, described the man being kicked "as if he was a football".

Elvin Asher, 21, of Livingstone Road, Blackburn, had pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm. Jenaid Ebanks, 23, of High Bank, Blackburn had pleaded not guilty and was convicted by a jury after trial.

Mr McAlery had been to Jumping Jacks nightclub in Blackburn, where he left around 1am in March 2004.

Miss Sarah Johnston told Preston Crown Court: "His next memory is lying on the pavement in Darwen Street, with his jacket pulled over his head, realising he had been assaulted.

"He remembers an ambulance coming and being taken to A and E and being in a great deal of pain."

His injuries included a fracture of the lower jaw. Mr McAlery needed an operation to insert a metal plate and screws. Later, the plate and screws were removed.

The prosecution said the defendants had been seen to join in the assault after someone else initially punched the victim to the face. It was claimed Mr McAlery was kicked to the head and chest.

In police interview, the defendants claimed that they had tried to stop the assault and picked up the victim. They denied any involvement in the violence.

Ebanks had no previous convictions. Asher had 10 offences on his record, though none previously for violence.