TWO brothers attacked a man leaving him with brain damage, a court was told.

Michael Thompson's head struck a wall in an alleyway during the beating in Hartlepool, said Shaun Dodds, prosecuting.

He needed blood draining from his brain and he was critical on a life support machine.

Eighteen months later, he was unable to use his right hand and had severe memory loss and impaired vision, Teesside Crown Court heard.

Dean Turner, 20, of Allerton Close, Hartlepool, was ordered to be detained for two years and nine months, plus 59 days left from a previous sentence, after he pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm on November 16, 1999, and escaping from Hartlepool police station.

Stephen Ashurst, defending, said that Turner and Mr Thompson argued over the quality of heroin supplied to them by a woman dealer.

During six weeks in custody Turner showed great improvement which gave him hope for a drug-free future, said Mr Ashurst.

Previously, Turner's brother, Mark, 28, was jailed for three and a half years after he also pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm and unrelated offences.