A MAN suffered life-threatening injuries when he was savagely beaten in his own home and every bone in his face broken.

Details of the attack in Darlington emerged yesterday when three people appeared in court accused of being involved in it.

The 46-year-old victim suffered a broken neck, fractured skull, broken jaw, fractured spine and bruising which covered his body.

It is alleged that two of his attackers stole some of his clothes and his wallet after leaving him for dead on Monday of last week.

The three people who appeared in court face charges of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and perverting the course of justice.

The victim, who is said to be vulnerable and is not being named by The Northern Echo, was still in hospital in Middlesbrough last night.

He was initially taken to Darlington Memorial Hospital, but was transferred to The James Cook University Hospital because of his condition.

Teesside Crown Court heard yesterday that he was still in a serious state, but “not in a life-threatening condition”, and has not been fully interviewed.

Prosecutor David Crook told the court: “He had been given a severe and sound beating.

He was apparently in a very, very bad state. All the facial plates have been broken and his face is being held together only by soft tissue. He has only been able to give a short statement.”

Police were called to a house in Fairfield Street in the early hours of November 14 by people who claimed to have found the victim.

Three people from Darlington were later arrested and interviewed.

Paul Lodey, 41, of Barningham Street, and Sean O’Brien, 22, of Houndgate, both face charges of causing grevious bodily harm with intent, robbery and perverting justice.

Victoria Blakey, 31, of Stewart Street, has been charged with perverting the course of justice and causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

The two men appeared in court via a video-link from Holme House Prison, Stockton, while Ms Blakey appeared in the dock for the brief hearing.

No pleas were entered, but the trio will return to court in the New Year when they will be asked to say whether they are guilty or not.

Martin Towers, for motherof- one Ms Blakey, said she was of good character and had denied the allegations during her interview.

Mr Lodey’s barrister, Christopher Baker, told Judge George Moorhouse that his client claims he was not involved in the assault.

Stephen Thornton, for Mr O’Brien, did not make any representations.