A MAN has been jailed for nine years after attacking a man with a baseball bat in Accrington town centre.

Daniel Halstead, 32, left Paul Sanderson with a fractured skull and a bleed on the brain after the violence in Edgar Street.

Mr Sanderson, 48, was found collapsed in the street at around 4.30am on Friday, January 25.

He was taken to the Royal Preston Hospital, where he remained for a week. He also suffered a number of other broken bones.

Detectives initially confirmed that a man had been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.

Halstead, of Bobbin Close, Accrington, pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Mr Sanderson, when he appeared before Judge Jonathan Gibson for sentence at Burnley Crown Court.

Prosecutors told the court that Halstead had gone to Edgar Street in the early hours of the morning and caused a disturbance.

CCTV footage was captured of him trying to get the attention of nearby residents.

Shortly afterwards Mr Sanderson came out of his flat, carrying a baseball bat, which he said was for selfdefence purposes, the court heard.

But he was quickly overpowered by Halstead, who then struck him several times to the head and body with the bat, the court was told.

Mr Sanderson was defenceless for much of the attack and Halstead was condemned by Judge Gibson for the sustained level of violence deployed during the attack.

An investigation, carried out the following day, saw the Edgar Street area cordoned off for several hours, while a forensic examination was made of the scene, and police spoke to witnesses.

Speaking after the case, Det Sgt Sarah Hargreaves, of East CID, said: “Daniel Halstead overpowered his victim and subjected him to a completely unnecessary assault while he lay defenceless on the floor.

“I am pleased with the sentence, which reflects the gravity of this offence.”

The family of Mr Sanderson, who was initially left in a critical condition in hospital, declined to comment when approached by the Lancashire Telegraph.