THREE people were yesterday jailed for a concerted attack on a man with learning difficulties who thought he was among friends.

The victim, a 44-year-old Darlington man, was persistently beaten and had tape put over his mouth to stop his shouts being heard during the ordeal – described as torture by a judge.

Durham Crown Court heard the attack began after he innocently kissed Deborah Davey, who thought he was making advances on her and accused him of trying to rape her.

She was joined by Marie Stewart and Michael Hendry in the assault, which lasted for two hours at the house in Peterlee, County Durham.

David Crook, prosecuting, said the victim was tied to a chair and had a lit cigarette stubbed out on his foot.

He was left with seven marks from blows, at least one cigarette burn, bruising, a swollen eye, cuts to his arm, and scratches to his back before they relented and apologised.

Mr Crook said the victim met Davey via a television dating channel and had stayed at her house several times.

He said: “He was staying over the weekend of this attack with Davey and the other two defendants in May.

“The assault began after he kissed Davey on the cheek and she cried rape.

“Accounts given later to the police are confused, with each defendant blaming the other, so it is not clear who did what.”

Stewart was said to have told the victim she had attended a psychiatric hospital, so would, “get away with” the attack.

Davey, 40, of Newark Close, Peterlee, Hendry, 44, and Stewart, 34, both of Noble Street, Hendon, Sunderland, each admitted unlawful wounding in the incident.

Prosecutors offered no evidence on a second count of false imprisonment, which all three defendants denied.

Ron Mitchell, for Davey, Nigel Soppitt, for Stewart, and Alex Burns, for Hendry, all told the court that none really understood the meaning of the word rape and responded in the mistaken belief the victim had made unwanted advances on Davey.

Judge Howard Crowson told them: “This was a vulnerable victim who thought he was among friends.

“For no reason whatsoever, he was tortured, assaulted, and had tape put over his face to stop him crying out.”

He jailed Hendry for 16 months and Davey and Stewart for 14 months.