A TAKEAWAY owner thought he was 'fighting for his life' when his former chef bundled a Santa sack over his head and launched a vicious attack on him in a back yard.

Kevin Robinson, 35, is starting a 14-month jail sentence for the attack on his ex-employer, Christoff Alexandrou, 68.

The court heard Robinson and his wife, Nicola, were employed at the Lakeland Continental Takeaway in Ulverston, along with a number of other women.

But when Mrs Robinson and two others fell out with another employee they asked Mr Alexandrou to fire the woman.

When Mr Alexandrou refused, Robinson stormed out of the job, and Mr Alexandrou received three letters of complaint setting out a case for constructive dismissal.

He responded by asking him to return to work.

But on November 13 last year, Robinson lay in wait at the back of the shop to take revenge on his former employer.

When the takeaway boss let the last employee out at around 11pm, he noticed a light was on in the outside staff toilet. – but a few minutes later it was off.

As Mr Alexandrou went to investigate, Robinson – who had a balaclava-style hood over his face – stuffed a Father Christmas sack over his head.

He then rained blows upon the defenceless Mr Alexandrou.

In a statement read to the court, Mr Alexandrou said: “For 24 hours after it happened I kept splashing water over my face.

"I thought I was dead and wanted to make sure I was still alive.”

Robinson, of Hart Street, Ulverston, denied assault occasioning actual bodily harm, but was convicted following a trial at Preston Crown Court.

Throughout the sentencing hearing at Preston Crown Court, Robinson’s wife sobbed inconsolably as the case against her husband was set out.

Jailing the dad-of-five, Judge Jacqueline Beech said: “You should have considered the effect on your family when you planned this attack.”