TWO men have admitted carrying out an attack on a man who was left critically injured in his own home.

Paul Michael Bishop and Christopher Henry Hilton were yesterday (TUE OCT 23) warned to expect sentences at the “top end of the range” for such an attack, after their pleas were accepted by the prosecution.

It follows an incident in which Andrew Ford was found seriously injured on the living room floor at his home, in Second Street, Blackhall, east Durham, in the early hours of Tuesday June 5.

The 34-year-old father-of-two was taken to James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough in a coma and received lengthy treatment for head and brain injuries suffered in the attack.

Bishop, 28, and 21-year-old Hilton, were initially charged with wounding Mr Ford with intent to cause him grievous bodily harm.

But, appearing at Durham Crown Court for what should have been the opening day of their trial, the charges were put again.

Both denied wounding with intent, but pleaded ‘guilty’ to the slightly lesser charge of unlawful wounding.

Shaun Dodds, prosecuting, said following lengthy consideration, involving a medical expert, the officer in the case and the reviewing lawyer, the prosecution would accept the pleas tended by the pair.

“It was a blow by Bishop who hit the complainant to the ground, which is likely to have caused physical and brain injuries, but it was a joint enterprise.

“One of two witnesses then said the pair undertook to kick and stamp on him, on the ground.

“While on the floor and bleeding there was at least one more blow to that bleeding area.”

Judge Christopher Prince adjourned sentence to allow probation reports to be drawn up on both defendants.

He also asked for a victim impact statement to be prepared.

Although the victim is now out of hospital Mr Dodds said he is “not in a fit state” to give such a statement, but the prosecution would be assisted by members of his family.

Judge Prince remanded Bishop, who is from Blackhall, but said to be of no fixed address, and Hilton, of Brandlings Way, Peterlee, both in custody to be brought back for sentence on November 12.

The judge said, given the circumstances, the sentence is likely to be “at the top end of the range” for unlawful wounding.