A TEENAGER was left needing surgery after he was attacked by a gang in a Blackburn street.

Oliver Poole had been out with his friends, in Livesey Branch Road, when an argument broke out between them, police said.

The 19-year-old ended up being hit over the head with a metal bar during the fracas, causing his jaw to break.

Two of Mr Poole’s attackers have now been sent to prison.

Ethan Wright, 18, of Princess Street, Blackburn was sentenced to four years in a young offenders’ institute and Ben Whittle, 18, of St Aidans Avenue, also Blackburn, was given a 30-month jail term.

A third man, Evan Mulrooney, 18, of Knowles Street, was also handed a six-month prison sentence, which was suspended for 18 months. He must also do 140 hours of unpaid work.

They had all pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

Mr Poole was with the trio when a disagreement broke out between him and Whittle, who started assaulting him.

A fight began and Mulrooney joined in the attack, punching Mr Poole. Wright then hit the victim with the metal bar, breaking the bone in his jaw.

Speaking after the hearing, Det Con Mark Hutchinson, from Blackburn CID, said Mr Poole was still suffering from the effects of the attack.

He said: “This was a nasty attack.

“Mr Poole is still struggling because he cannot open his jaw very far.

“He needs some work doing to his teeth, but he cannot open his jaw long enough for them to do it. He will need an operation and to be put to sleep so it can be done.

“The victim also had a metal plate put in and that will always be there.

“This really was a horrible, nasty attack.”