TWO yobs who attacked a pub boss and a policeman, leaving the officer paralysed in the road "waiting to die," have each been jailed for six years.

Daryl Aspin, 17, and Aaron Cheema, 18, had pelted off duty sergeant Anthony Doherty with rocks and punched and kicked him after a pursuit in the early hours last June.

He ended up unable to move, covered in blood and in tremendous pain after he was repeatedly set upon, Burnley Crown Court heard.

The duo had earlier targeted Clifford Hacking, manager of the Garden Bar, Burnley, and taken his car. Sgt Doherty had caught up with them after they crashed it, but was then subjected to the prolonged and vicious assault.

Cheema, of Grassington Drive, Burnley, and Aspin, of Carlton Place, Halifax, both admitted robbery, aggravated vehicle taking and wounding with intent to do grievous bodily harm.

Mercedah Jabbari, prosecuting, told the court Cheema had lodged with Mr Hacking, who owned a Renault Clio. The defendant asked if he and Aspin could stay and the pair and another youth were at the house in Nelson, drinking alcohol.

Mr Hacking went to the toilet about 3. 30am and when he came out Aspin was on thre landing and without provocation punched him about the head and face. Mr Hacking fell head first down the stairs, got up and Cheema then reached into his pocket and removed his car keys. Aspin continued to attack him and the victim fell to the floor.

The victim was taken to hospital and had stitches.

The prosecutor said Sgt Doherty was on his way home, but wearing his police uniform. He was at a red traffic light when he when he became aware of heavy revving behind him.A Clio undertook him, went through the lights and knocked over a bollard.

Miss Jabbari said the vehicle continued onto Manchester Road with sparks flying and the exhaust hanging down. The officer rang 999 and followed the car onto Clitheroe Road, where it lost momentum, left the road and crashed into bushes. The occupants appeared to be rocking as if to try and get the vehicle to continue and a tyre had been completely shredded.

Sgt Doherty got out and walked over, opened the Clio door and grabbed the ignition keys. He identified himself as a police officer and told the occupants to remain in the vehicle.

Cheema picked up a brick and moved towards the victim. Sgt Doherty, in a pre-emptive strike, kicked the defendant, causing him to lose his balance. The officer then felt tremendous pain in the back of his head after being struck with a rock by Cheema.

The victim crashed against the kerb, saw Aspin also armed with a rock and came round to find himself on his back in the road with Cheema crouched down towards him,wildly punching and kicking him.

The prosecutor said the officer could not feel anything but remembered seeing Aspin above his head, holding a large rock. Miss Jabbari said :" The officer says he was powerless to defend himself and waited to die."

Sgt Doherty told the defendants they were going to kill him and Cheema urged his accomplice :"Go on, do it, hit him."