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Daily Record
Daily Record
National
Lanarkshire Live

Thugs smashed TV over man's head during horrific Lanarkshire home invasion

Two thugs have been locked up after a man had a television smashed over his head during a "horrific" attack in his East Kilbride home.

The victim was also punched and stamped on before Neil Hanton and Anthony Rooney fled with £500 worth of his belongings.

The 24-year-old victim has since died, but Hamilton Sheriff Court heard that his death was not connected to the attack.

Hanton, 25, of Trinidad Way, East Kilbride, was jailed for 23 months while Rooney, 20, described as a prisoner, was sentenced to the same period in a young offenders' institution.

They admitted carrying out the assault in Hudson Terrace on May 8 last year.

Chloe O'Hara, prosecuting, said the three men had been drinking together in the victim's home that evening.

He was attacked around 11pm as he returned from the bathroom.

Ms O'Hara told the court: "As he opened the living room door, Rooney punched him, causing his nose to burst.

"The complainer staggered back into the hallway and Rooney continued to punch him.

"The victim went into the bathroom and tried to close the door, but Rooney pushed it open while holding a bottle of Buckfast wine and said 'If you don't say you're my bitch I'll hit you with this bottle'.

"Hanton was standing behind Rooney, laughing and filming the incident on his phone."

Back in the living room, both accused punched the victim who ended up on the floor with Rooney.

Hanton then stamped repeatedly on the householder's chest and legs.

Rooney sat on top of him and more punches rained down before Hanton shouted 'Get off him. That's enough'.

Ms O'Hara went on: "Rooney did get off, but Hanton then lifted the TV and smashed it over the victim's head, causing him to lose consciousness for a brief period.

"Rooney ran towards the kitchen and was heard saying 'I'm going to finish him off'."

However, the victim was able to get his two attackers out of the flat and lock the door.

They left with bags full of clothes, a Playstation, an Alexa, DVDs, a wallet and keys.

Neighbours heard the commotion and the police were contacted.

The victim was "covered in blood", according to one of the neighbours. He was treated in hospital for injuries including fractures to his nose and foot.

Police officers found both accused at Hanton's home. All of the stolen items were recovered.

Rooney told officers: "I punched him because he pulled a knife on me."

Sheriff John Speir told the accused: "This appears, on any view, to have been an absolutely horrific attack."

Rooney's sentence was backdated to May last year as he had been held in custody since his arrest.

Hanton's was backdated to April this year as he was taken into custody after pleading guilty then.

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