Vodka-fuelled burglars who smashed their way into a man’s flat intent on attacking him have been jailed.

Peter Lowrey, 24, and Colin Thompson, 37, burst into Reece Kelly’s Workington home in anger over text messages sent to one of their girlfriends.

Carlisle Crown Court heard Mr Kelly was fortunately out, having been tipped off that an attack was imminent.

Lowrey and Thompson sank five litres of vodka between them before committing the afternoon crime.

Using clothing to disguise themselves, they kicked the door down on May 21.

They were swiftly rounded up by police but became aggressive – Lowrey twice biting a special constable.

The men each admitted burglary with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm on Mr Kelly and were sentenced by Judge Peter Davies.

Both defendants were said to be blighted by alcohol.

Greg Hoare, for Lowrey, said: "It is one of those drunken endeavours which he accepts could have led to some very unfortunate consequences."

Thompson went along with the act and his barrister, Kim Whittlestone, said: "He and the co-defendant, he believes, had consumed around five litres of vodka between them. He has little recollection of the events."

Forty-month prison sentences were handed down to Lowrey, of Winifred Street and Thompson, of Harcourt Street.

On hearing that both men were fathers to young children, Judge Davies said: "It is a great shame they are going to be caused a hardship by this act of recklessness, stupidity, bravado and cowardice."