A MAN has been left with life-changing injuries after a gang of men – one wearing a mask – turned up at his home and violently attacked him.

One of the men who played a minor part in the brutal assault has been jailed for 12-months after a court heard he stood outside while two other men dished out the beating.

Teesside Crown Court heard how the victim was forced to jump out off the third floor roof to escape and suffered multiple injuries, including a broken back, broken leg and facial injuries from the assault.

Dean Wilkinson admitted his role in the attack and his barrister said he described himself as a ‘f***ed up addict’ who got caught up in events.

Rachel Masters, prosecuting, said the three men were caught on CCTV being picked up by a taxi which dropped them off on Woodland Terrace, Darlington.

Miss Masters said two of the men grabbed the innocent victim by the throat and dragged into a flat which wasn't his where he was attacked and the men were demanding 'money and cocaine'.

She said: "Due to the fear about this attack, the victim made the decision to climb out of the skylight, climb onto the roof and jump three stories down to the ground.

"This jump was about 25-30 feet and he landed on the concrete floor, he was so scared that he thought this was the only way he could get away from further harm."

The victim suffered a black eye, swelling around his cheekbones, he a broken back, which required surgery, two broken bones in his pelvis and fractures to two bones in his left leg – leaving him with long term medical problems.

Nicholson, of Flamingo Close, Darlington, pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm following the attack in August last year.

In mitigation, Duncan McReddie said his client had pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity and played no part in the actual assault.

The barrister said the incident started after Nicholson bought some drugs the previous day before consuming them with unnamed friends.

Mr McReddie said the attack came after the group decided to tackle the dealer about the quality of his drugs and would have stopped the attack if he had been in the flat as he knew it was the wrong person.

He added: "There was never any serious attempt to cause serious harm."

Judge Paul Watson QC jailed Nicholson to 12 months in custody, saying: "You were outside when two men, including one who was masked, who went and grabbed him and took him upstairs where he was beaten.

"He was punched and attacked, in a persistent attack, and suffered a fractured eye socket and cheek, as well as his leg and hip, and maybe he has long term medical issues."

l His co-accused Leroy Hewitt, of Pateley Moor Crescent, Darlington, did not enter a plea is due to appear at the same court next week.