A MAN who attacked his former girlfriend and her mother with a baseball bat was jailed for three years and nine months yesterday.

Michael English, 20, was told by a judge at Teesside Crown Court that he showed no mercy to the women and that the court would show none to him.

English's former girlfriend Louise Shaw, 20, took out a court injunction against him after she ended their three-and -a-half-year relationship because of his violence, said prosecutor David Scutt.

But English forced his way into a house in Peterlee, County Durham, where Miss Shaw was visiting, Teesside Crown Court heard.

When Miss Shaw's mother, Lesley Askew, 40, arrived, English pushed her down and rained two-handed blows on her head with the baseball bat.

When Miss Shaw lay over her mother to protect her, English turned his attention to her, striking her head with the bat.

Mrs Askew's arm will probably be permanently damaged and she was left with scars where a metal plate was inserted. Her daughter still suffers severe head pains, said Mr Scutt.

Paul Cleasby, defending, said English knew it was a "shocking and disgusting" attack and he expected to be given a substantial custodial sentence.

English, of Basingstoke Road, Peterlee, pleaded guilty to two charges of inflicting grievous bodily harm.