A YOUNG boy whose parents were attacked after a machete and bat-wielding gang burst into their home said those responsible were a "bunch of cowards”.

The youngster described how he shouted at one of the men to leave his father alone and feared he was going to die as he slipped in and out of unconsciousness.

He also described how he comforted his stepmother following the terrifying incident at their home in Spennymoor, County Durham, on May 10 this year, which is said to have arisen from a long-running feud.

He said: “I gave her a hug and said ‘Alright mam, they are just a bunch of cowards’.”

The defendants in the trial at Teesside Crown Court, Michael Herron, Ross Patterson and Warren Oughton watched on from the dock as the jury were played a recorded interview with the boy.

Mr Herron, 26, is accused of hacking at the injured man’s head, shoulders and arms with a machete and also cutting the female victim’s finger as he made a slashing motion with the weapon.

The prosecution say his co-accused 23-year-old Mr Patterson “egged on” Mr Herron during the attack, while Mr Oughton acted as a look-out at the front door.

The boy described Mr Herron chopping at the bathroom door with the machete as the complainants, who were both inside, desperately fought to keep him out.

He told a detective: “I seen every part of it. I was scared and did not know what to do.”

The witness said he saw Mr Patterson, who was carrying a baseball bat, kick one of their dogs and he also described how he and Mr Herron damaged a car parked outside.

Earlier, the woman told the jury that her partner was covered in blood “from head to toe” and jumped from the bathroom window wearing just a towel in a bid to escape.

She said she had remonstrated with Mr Herron who said ‘I’ll kill you and I’ll your kids’, pushing her over and also cutting her finger.

Mr Herron, of Dean Road, Ferryhill, Mr Patterson, of Opal Avenue, Chilton, and 23-year-old Mr Oughton, of Horse Close Lane, Trimdon all deny aggravated burglary, wounding with intent and criminal damage.

Mr Herron has also pleaded not guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm in relation to the alleged assault on the woman.

The trial continues.