"To say this attack has changed my life is an understatement."
Abrar Hussain, aged 35, of Brierfield, Lancashire, was jailed for 13 years at Burnley Crown Court for assaulting a man with a metal baseball bat.
Hussain struck Ishtiaq Ahmed up to 15 times with the metal bat before threatening him and his family.
The attack left Mr Ahmed with a “shattered” elbow and severe bruising on his body.
The court heard that Mr Ahmed had left his house to collect his partner on January 12, 2018. Hussain took the bat from the boot of his car and began hitting him with it.
Prosecutor Stephen Parker told the court that Mr Ahmed was left “traumatised” by the attack and “thought it was going to end worse than it did”.
The victim’s elbow needed a metal plate which left a 10-inch scar.
Mr Parker added that it was a “sustained and repeated assault” and also caused bruising to various parts of Mr Ahmed’s torso, legs and thighs.
After the incident was reported, Hussain tracked down the victim while he was staying at his father’s home in Rawtenstall and threatened him on Burnley Road, Brierfield.
Hussain threatened to kill Mr Ahmed and his family if the police statement was not withdrawn.
After a six-day trial, Hussain was found guilty of wounding with intent to cause GBH, having a baseball bat in a public place with lawful authority and witness intimidation.
In an impact statement, the victim said: “To say this attack has changed my life is an understatement.”
Mr Parker said: “Following the incident, Mr Ahmed’s relationship broke down. He moved out of the area meaning he was separated from his two young children.
The court that Hussain has been previously convicted for fraud, driving offences and assault of a police officer.
Judge Jeffries QC said: “For reasons that I don’t know you took from the boot of your car a metal baseball bat and set upon Mr Ahmed.
“It was not one blow. He thought it was about 15 blows raining down on his body. His arm was broken.”
“For understandable reasons, he thought he was going to end up in a much worse position than he did. It was undoubtedly a sustained attack.
“You then confronted the victim not only in the street but somehow you had tracked him down to where he was at his father’s house.
“Once there you made threats to him that if he didn’t withdraw or retract his statement then his family would suffer the consequences, as would he.
“Witnesses need to be protected from people who threaten them to keep away from court.”
Abrar Hussain was jailed for 13 years and was given an indefinite restraining order.