A man was left with a horrific Nike Air Max shoe print on his head after being viciously assaulted by two men.

Connar King, 32, and Michael Hutchinson, 37, followed their victim into a Sunderland laundrette before launching a ferocious attack, punching and stamping on him. The violence escalated when Hutchinson produced a knife and made multiple attempts to stab the victim, but fortunately was unsuccessful.

The assault was described as a "revenge attack" in Newcastle Crown Court, sparked by accusations made against the victim by a third party. King, of Carley Road, Sunderland, and Hutchinson, of King James Court, Downhill, Sunderland, appeared in court on Thursday to face sentencing for assault occasioning actual bodily harm.

Hutchinson also faced sentencing for possession of a knife, with both defendants having entered guilty pleas, Chronicle Live reports.

According to the court, prior to the attack, a woman believed to be associated with the defendants made accusations against the victim concerning her daughter, which were followed by threats. On August 16 of the previous year, CCTV footage captured the victim entering a laundrette, closely followed by King and Hutchinson.

Prosecutor Jemima Stephenson recounted that "The pair chased him to the back and attacked him by punching and kicking him."

This is the rewritten text in the same style as the original, with changes to the wording while maintaining the same meaning and tone. "A female lone member of staff tried to intervene but was unsuccessful. The victim tried to escape but was grabbed by King round the neck. Hutchinson produced a knife and attempted to stab him during the struggle multiple times. It was pure luck that this was unsuccessful. The victim ended up on the floor and both defendants were stamping on his head and ribs."

King and Hutchinson swiftly departed the scene after the violent incident at the launderette. The victim was able to point out King to the authorities as one of his assailants.

Ms Stephenson reported, "The victim had an Air Max print mark to the head and a deformity to his left wrist."

Subsequently confined under the Mental Health Act, the injured party received treatment at Sunderland Royal Hospital for two arm fractures.

The court was informed that Hutchinson, with a history of 12 prior convictions spanning 19 offences, including three violent incidents, played a principal role in the attack. Meanwhile, King's record included 13 convictions covering 17 offences, four being violent.

Defending King, Josh Normanton emphasized that his client had a job and was not the primary aggressor. He highlighted that King had not possessed any weapon during the event.

Cainan Lonsdale, acting for Hutchinson, a father of two, mentioned that his client had never been given an immediate prison sentence, acknowledging that Hutchinson realises he "can't take law into his own hands" and should have instead called the police. Lonsdale added: "He appreciates the injuries could have been more serious."

Judge Amanda Rippon remarked in court: "This was some kind of revenge attack after some perceived incident with a third party."

Consequently, King received a 12-month prison sentence, which has been suspended for two years, with the requirement to attend up to 40 days of rehabilitation activities.

In contrast, Hutchinson faced steeper consequences and was incarcerated for a period of two years. Additionally, both men have been subjected to a five-year restraining order as part of their sentencing.