A MAN has been left permanently disabled after having every bone in his face broken in an attack by a former cage fighter in a Burnley Street.

Ricardo Dunn, 27, who is 6'4" tall and weighs 17 stone, knocked victim Peter Hoyle unconscious with one punch, before launched a relentless attack of punches and kicks on Mr Hoyle's lifeless body.

Burnley Crown Court heard that Mr Hoyle, also 27, is still in hospital having broken every bone in his face in the attack in July.

He has brain damage, suffered a fractured skull and lost all of his teeth.

The court also heard that Dunn used to be an amateur cage fighter, a form of martial arts with virtually no rules.

Dunn, of Helston Close, Burnley, pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm with intent at court yesterday and will now been sentenced in December.

He was warned by judge Heather Lloyd, to expect a lengthy prison sentence.

The court heard that the incident happened in Leyland Road, Burnley, at around 4am on July 26 after a row over a girl.

Bob Elias, prosecuting, said: "Mr Hoyle's life is now ruined.

"Dunn hit him with one punch which knocked him unconscious.

"He then punched and kicked his motionless body mercilessly.

"Mr Hoyle is still in hospital and will be permanently disabled.

"He will never recover from his injuries."

After the incident Mr Hoyle was treated in Royal Preston Hospital's critical care unit but the court heard that he is now being treated in a ward at Royal Blackburn Hospital.

Det Insp Simon Cheyte said: "Dunn used an extreme level of violence and proved that he is a very dangerous man.

"These two men had never met before.

Now Mr Hoyle must live for the rest of his life with the consequences of this attack."

He praised witnesses who had come forward to help police and prosecutors secure a conviction without the need for a court trial.

Dunn is one of Burnley's most notorious thugs and earlier this year was named as one of East Lancashire "most wanted" by police.

He was wanted on prison recall for a wounding offence and was returned to prison after being spotted in Burnley in February by a member of the public following press coverage.