TWO men and a woman who burst into a flat in Cardigan and beat up the occupier have been jailed.

They frightened Andrew Lane so much he jumped down a flight of stairs breaking his ankle.

Charity Penny, aged 42, of Heol Felin, Penparc, David Griffiths, 38, of Anwylfan, Aberporth, and Ianto Grant, 23, of Pistel Gwyn, Llandeilo, had admitted assault causing grievous bodily harm.

They were each jailed for two years on Thursday (July 18).

John Hipkin, prosecuting at Swansea crown court, said on February 5 Mr Lane had been on the top floor of his flat in Pendre, Cardigan, when the trio burst in.

As they made their way upstairs Mr Lane tried to escape and ran down the stairs, leaping the final flight.

But he ended up on the floor with a broken ankle and Penny, Griffiths and Grant began raining blows on him.

Judge Paul Thomas said he found it particularly chilling that Penny "boiled" a kettle and poured the contents over Mr Lane, telling him it was a shame she could not find any sugar.

Unknown to her the electricity had 'tripped' during the commotion and the water was still cool.

Judge Thomas said Penny's desire to mix sugar with hot water "showed the way you three were behaving that day."

Mr Lane finally escaped having suffered fractures to facial bones and bruising in addition to the ankle injury.

The court heard the defendants gave police various explanations for what they had done.

Judge Thomas said the three knew Mr Lane was a vulnerable individual but had still carried out a vicious and prolonged attack.

"You showed him no mercy whatsoever. Even though he had broken an ankle you punched him repeatedly," he added.

Judge Thomas said he was satisfied that none of them had told the truth about why they had gone after Mr Lane.

The court heard that the victim had been so affected by violence in his own home he had moved away.

Judge Thomas issued a five-year restraining order banning the trio from contacting Mr Lane.