TWO men who tortured a heroin addict for drugs and money have been jailed for a total of ten years.

Trevor Turnock and Frankie Pearson burst into Daniel Wright’s bedsit and beat him, before crushing his fingers with pliers.

Newcastle Crown Court heard that mole grips were also applied to his nose and the side of his eye before the pair made off with more than £1,000.

Daniel Wright, who sells the Big Issue in Durham City, was left with a swollen hand, bruised knuckles, a chunk missing from his hand, a bruised elbow, painful ribs, bloodshot eyes and grazes.

The incident happened at Langley Lodge, Langley Moor, County Durham, in July last year.

Amanda Rippon, prosecuting, said: “Daniel Wright has found this traumatic to deal with and it has had quite an impact on his life. He has had a difficult life and this has certainly not helped much.”

The court heard that Turnock, who admitted robbery last October, took the lead in the torture.

The 35-year-old, of Lavender Gardens, Sacriston, near Chester-le-Street, was jailed for eight years.

Tony Davis, who represented Turnock, said: “The injuries were not serious and were against a background of when he was seriously dependent on heroin.”

Pearson, 25, of Redwood Flats, Brandon, County Durham, was convicted of robbery after a trial last month and jailed for two years and 30 weeks.

David Callan, in mitigation, said: “He did not take part in the torture of the complainant, and nor did he aid and abet.

“The defendant admits to punching him and the defendant stole heroin. He realises he has got to put his offending behind him. Daniel Wright is in prison now. They are friends and have sorted out their differences.”

The court heard that Pearson works as a prison barber and was keen to establish a relationship with his threeyear- old son when he is released.

Judge Richard Lowden said: “This was a horrific attack.

You took part in subjecting that man to what must have been a terrifying ordeal. It cannot be described as anything other than extreme violence.”