An elderly man was so badly injured in a systematic beating that he is still unable to move or speak 13 months later, a jury heard.

Prosecutor Colin Harvey told Bradford Crown Court that 70-year-old Edwin Norford was now in a "dysfunctional" state as a result of the alleged attack in November 1997.

He is now being cared for in a nursing home.

Two of Mr Norford's fellow drinkers, 49-year-old Peter Hull and Michael Holliday, 40, have gone on trial accused of attacking him during an all-day drinking session at Hull's flat in Mornington Villas, Manningham.

Holliday, of no fixed address, and Hull have both denied causing Mr Norford grievous bodily harm with intent, and an alternative allegation of inflicting grievous bodily harm on him.

Mr Harvey described how Mr Norford, who lived at a flat in Bridgwater House, Bradford, was one of four men who had gone to Hull's flat that Saturday lunchtime for a drinking session.

He said the men were sharing bottles of cider, but for some reason Holliday became involved in an argument with Mr Norford and started punching him as he sat on a settee.

Later on Hull is alleged to have attacked Mr Norford as well.

Mr Harvey said there were regular beatings throughout the course of that day.

"He was semi-conscious, comatose almost," he said.

Eventually all the men fell sleep and it was not until the next morning that Holliday telephoned for an ambulance because they were concerned about Mr Norford's condition.

Mr Harvey said lies were then told about what had happened to Mr Norford, but he suggested that Holliday had later made a "confession" during his police interview.

When charged in connection with the attack, he was alleged to have told police officers: "Correct. I'm sorry I did it. He was a good mate."

Mr Norford's friend, Nicholas Barlow, who was at the drinking session, told the jury that the row sprung up about a missing camera.

Mr Barlow alleged that Holliday punched Mr Norford five or six times in the face with a clenched fist.

Then, he said, Hull intervened and pulled him off.

Mr Barlow said he had gone out with Hull for a couple of drinks and to do some shopping that afternoon.

When they returned, Mr Norford was still sitting on the settee, semi-conscious.

Mr Barlow said he could not remember anything else happening to Mr Norford and could not explain how he had ended up lying on the floor of the flat.

The trial continues.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.