ONE of two Redditch sisters has been jailed after they were sentenced for a prolonged, vicious assault on a vulnerable man which left him bruised, cut and burnt.

Natalie Cooke, aged 32, of Ash Tree Road, Redditch, and Emma Cooke, aged 30, of Cedar View, Redditch, both appeared at Worcester Crown Court on Monday, November 19 for sentencing having been convicted at an earlier hearing of assault.

The attack took place on a vulnerable man in his 30s at Emma Cooke's home in Cedar View between the evening of Saturday, July 14, and the early hours of the following morning. The man was subjected to a prolonged assault, including having his head shaved, and was left with burns, cuts and bruises which he was treated for at the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch.

Both women pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm when they appeared at court in October.

Emma Cooke was sentenced to 18 months in prison along with another three months for breach of a suspended sentence which she received from Birmingham Crown Court earlier in the year. Natalie Cooke was given a 12 month community order with a 12 month supervision order to include completion of an alcohol rehabilitation course.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Jo Hembry said: "This was a vicious and unprovoked attack on a vulnerable man.

“The sisters put him through a terrible ordeal which has left him scarred and feeling nervous around people.

“This assault has caused immense distress to the victim and we hope these sentences send a clear message that such offences will not be tolerated.

“Anyone committing this sort of crime can expect to be dealt with by the courts and brought to justice.”