A MAN jumped through a window fearing for his life as he was being attacked in his own home, a court heard.

The 27-year-old was stabbed, punched and beaten with household objects by two masked men who called at the house, in Derby Crescent, Moorside, Consett, County Durham, on April 12, 2004.

Durham Crown Court heard he struggled and managed to get to the door, but a third man was standing guard and punched him, knocking him back into the house, where the attack resumed.

Roger Moore, prosecuting, said: "He was stabbed in the legs, suffering at least one stab wound to each leg.

"By this stage he was so terrified he thought he was going to be killed, but he managed to escape in a dramatic way.

"He managed to break out through a window and went to the house of a friend of his mother, from where the police and an ambulance were called."

Returning home later, he passed 16-year-old Daniel Renwick, who the victim knew.

Mr Moore said Renwick told him that "it wasn't him, and he was only trying to help, before asking for his mask back which he left at the house".

The victim was taken to hospital suffering a number of injuries, including stab puncture wounds to both legs, which required stitches.

Renwick and 17-year-old Michael Thompson were both arrested at an address in Consett early the next day.

Renwick, now 18, of Surrey Crescent, Moorside, and Thompson, now 19, of Park Terrace, Castleside, near Consett, both admitted wounding.

Peter Walsh, for Renwick, said he was in the house, but was not the knife carrier, while Ros Scott Bell, for Thompson, said he was the "third man" who initially stood at the door.

Renwick was sent to a young offender's institution for 21 months and Thompson was ordered to perform 240-hours' community punishment work.