TWO men subjected a friend to a terrifying ordeal of violence for no apparent reason, a court heard yesterday.

They pummelled and slashed Paul Clement, 26, for more than half-an-hour before tying him to a chair, threatening to kill him and shaving his head.

Newcastle Crown Court heard that Peter Elvin, 21, and David Stobbart, 22, both of Stanley, County Durham, traumatised their victim so badly that he has moved from his home and is unable to make new friends.

Elvin, of Pelaw Avenue, Shield Row and Stobbart, of Heatherway, were each jailed for four years after pleading guilty to charges of wounding and false imprisonment.

Both men also admitted charges of robbery, having taken clothing, cash and a mobile phone from Mr Clement.

The court heard there was no reason for the attack.

Christopher Williamson, prosecuting, said Elvin and Stobbart had befriended Mr Clement. All three had been drinking at his former home at Ernest Terrace, Shield Row, Stanley, and later smoked cannabis.

Mr Williamson said: "All were somewhat inebriated when Mr Stobbart suddenly began attacking the victim, pounding him in the face for about 30 minutes.

"Eventually Mr Elvin, who had a knife said 'shall I do him in?' and stabbed him in the left arm. The victim was slashed around the face and he was stabbed on the arm and leg.

"Mr Stobbart then began slashing him with a pen knife. Mr Clement was then taken upstairs and he was tied up to a chair with Sellotape by his hands and feet. Later, they shaved his head and one of his eyebrows."

The court heard that Mr Clement was taken to hospital. However, his physical injuries were not severe.

The police questioned him but it was some time before he could be persuaded to name the two culprits.

Brian Marks, defending Stobbart, said his client had sustained a head injury in a car accident as a six-year-old that had caused damage and affected his behaviour.

The judge said: "This was a sustained, nasty, vindictive, unprovoked attack."