Kendal: Men jailed after victim waterboarded and robbed

Peter Hall was jailed for just over three years, and Leigh Dirkin for seven-and-a-half years

Two men whose victim was attacked with a dog toy, before he was waterboarded and robbed, have been jailed.

Leigh Dirkin, 31, and Peter Hall, 41, were part of a group who turned up at the man's home in Kendal, Cumbria, in July 2022, where they began drinking.

Hall turned on the alcoholic victim and broke his nose, before Dirkin aided him in what the judge called "torture".

Dirkin, of Barrow, admitted robbery, while Hall, previously of Kendal, admitted actual bodily harm assault.

They were jailed for seven-and-a-half years, and three years and one month, respectively.

Carlisle Crown Court heard the men had arrived at the victim's flat unannounced as part of a five-strong group.

Dirkin, Hall and two others initially drank in his front room, sharing champagne, cider and lager.

Hall became angry with the victim, the court heard, and then picked up a dog toy and hit him in the face, splitting his lip.

He then delivered multiple punches which left the man "seeing stars" and "feeling his nose crumble".

As the victim tried to flee, he found a chain was on the door.

He was then dragged back and subjected to further violence during the next two hours.

Dirkin spat at the man and put a flannel over his mouth, before pouring in water, which Judge Michael Fanning observed was "waterboarding" and "torture".

He took the victim's wallet, a mobile phone and made a failed bid to withdraw cash from his empty account after obtaining the PIN.

'Felt he was drowning'

The next morning, the man sought help from neighbours and was taken to hospital, where among his injuries was an apparent footprint mark on his rib area.

The victim described the physical and mental pain in the aftermath of the attack, which has left him awaiting an operation on a complex nasal fracture.

"He is concerned he may be suffering from post traumatic stress disorder," added prosecutor Andrew Evans.

Both defendants were said to be remorseful.

Judge Fanning referred to the victim's statement as he referenced the waterboarding and torture.

"With a broken nose and unable to breathe, he felt as if he was drowning," he said.

Describing the violence as "persistent and prolonged", the judge concluded: "There was gratuitous degradation of this victim."