A farmer shot by thugs during a terrifying robbery at his bungalow will have his foot amputated this week after two years of doctors trying to save it.
The devastating diagnosis for Charles Baldwin was recounted during the jailing of a gang from Kirkby who stormed into the 65-year-old's home in Aughton, West Lancashire.
Ringleader Alan Daniels, nicknamed "Docker" in underworld circles, blasted the pig farmer twice, firstly in his knee and then his ankle, which was "wholly unnecessary", a judge said.
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The thug, a hired hitman with a disturbing past of gun crime, grew increasingly annoyed about what he perceived to be Mr Baldwin not complying quick enough with his demands, and not enough money or valuables being made available.
Today, at Preston Crown Court, it was heard how Mr Baldwin was set to lose his injured foot on Thursday when it is amputated after a battle to save it has ended in vain.
He has undergone 19 operations at three different hospitals over two years "with painful recovery time and infections", has not walked since and been confined to a wheelchair.
In a powerful victim impact statement, Mr Baldwin said: "The impact of this incident is utterly life-changing and unfair, it leaves the farm in a very vulnerable position.
"When the criminals came into our house, they destroyed our lives and caused us a lot of unnecessary pain.
"We are serving our own life sentence, through no fault of our own.
"It is the worst thing ever to happen in my life."
Mr Baldwin described "never walking since" and "being confined to a wheelchair, constantly suffering horrific pain."
He added: "This attack brought my world to an end, I spent several months in hospital, doctors worked miracles to save my leg."
In April, bones were taken from his body to try and create an ankle with experts trying to fuse it together so Mr Baldwin could bear weight on it, to get some mobility back.
But that appears to have been unsuccessful.
Since the attack at the Back House Lane home, on the evening of July 28, 2019, Mr Baldwin has not worked on the farm and has effectively now lost his livelihood.
The trauma of the robbery and shooting has also caused problems in the farmer's relationship with his girlfriend Patricia, it was heard, with both of them becoming short-tempered.
His girlfriend said the violence and experience would be "etched on my mind for the rest of my life" and suffering high anxiety.
In her own victim impact statement, she spoke of now keeping the curtains closed at home and being terrified by the slightest noise.
A return visit to the bungalow confronted her with the "blood and debris" still there from the violent raid, and she added: "I feel I don't know who I am anymore."
Today, Daniels, 38, of Oaklee Drive, Kirkby was jailed for life as an order of dangerousness was made, meaning he presents a considerable risk to the public.
He must serve a minimum of 14 years and 319 days before he can be considered for release after admitting conspiracy to rob, possession of a firearm with intent, and wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
Anthony Hill, 40, of Oakdale Close, Kirkby, Craig Reynolds, 36, of Birchmuir Hey, Kirkby, 32, Dean Sanders, of St Andrews Court, North Shields, denied the offences, but were all found guilty after a trial of conspiracy to rob and having a firearm with intent.
Reynolds was also ruled a dangerous offender, and was handed an extended sentence of 28 years, which also took into account guns found at his Kirkby home from a different case.
Hill was given 20 years and Sanders 19 years.
Daniels, it was heard, has 12 previous court appearances for 29 offences, going back to his youth.
Hill, has 10 court appearances for 16 offences, including offences of wounding, carrying a knife and motor vehicle crime.
Sanders has four past court appearances for four offences.
Lloyd Morgan, defending Daniels, said his client had "come to bitterly regret his involvement in these offences and expresses his sincere remorse for the suffering he has put him [Mr Baldwin] through.
"It has been a lengthy period of reflection for him and it weighs heavily on his mind."
Daniel Prowse, representing Hill, claimed his client, who has a wife and young children, didn't play a leading role, but acknowledged it was "significant."
And the lawyer added: "It is a particularly frightening place to be a prisoner at this current time - there is no end in sight.
"It is the most difficult time in living memory to serve a prison sentence."
Daniel Travers, for Reynolds, said his client had never served a custodial sentence before and this was a "real tragedy for him and his family."
Speaking of his time on remand, he added: "This is a man who has coped the best he can, adapting to the circumstances he finds himself in and is using his time constructively to start again.
"He is a caring brother and uncle and has a lot to give.
"It is frankly unbelievable he got himself involved in this offending."
Andrew Alty, defending Sanders, who reference his client's past conviction of possession of a knuckleduster, said he knew Daniels "on a social level but nothing further."
The yobs, from Kirkby, were carrying firearms and initially discharged bullets at the summer house where Mr Baldwin was sleeping after a day's work, "blowing the patio doors off."
The pig farmer was then "frogmarched" inside the bungalow, in front of his terrified girlfriend Patricia, and sat him down at his desk in a bedroom, demanding money and valuables.
Daniels, who has a history of serious violence, left his DNA on a paper knife used to cut a gold bracelet from Mr Baldwin's wrist, at the rural property in Home Farm, Back Lane.
Mr McEntee told the jury: "He had been deeply asleep, startled to be awoken by four armed men and in a daze, having had a shot fired close by him.
"From that moment Mr Baldwin was under the control of the offenders, and any further violence was wholly unnecessary."
Mr McEntee told how he was immediately confronted by demands for cash amid threats he would be shot.
One of the gunmen did shoot him after offering to show the gang his cash box before he was sat at his computer desk where watches were taken from the drawers.
But ringleader Daniels was "not satisfied" with this haul, the court heard, and insisted Mr Baldwin "kept loads of cash."
When he denied having more money, he was again shot, this time in the foot, Mr McEntee said.
The ringleader asked Mr Baldwin if he had guns, to which Mr Baldwin replied that he did, but he was reluctant to hand them over if they were used to hurt someone else.
Mr McEntee said: "Under threat of having the end of a firearm pressed into his teeth, Mr Baldwin, indicated that the keys for his gun cabinet were in a clock on the wall.
"During the subsequent search of the premises, the robbers seized jewellery, bank cards together with PIN numbers and firearms.
"One particular item stolen during the robbery was a gold bracelet, taken directly from Mr Baldwin’s wrist.
"Mr Baldwin had been concerned not to lose the bracelet, and had fashioned a cable-tie to keep it secure.
"In order to remove the cable, Mr Baldwin had to use a paper knife that was on his desk, supervised very closely by the lead offender, who warned him against getting any ideas about using the knife.
"Whether it was a consequence of Mr Baldwin feigning that he was having a heart attack, or whether the robbers had realised all that they could from their raid on the premises, the offenders left, giving a clear warning as they departed."
As he left, Daniels, brandishing two guns, told him: "Don't call the police for an hour, cos if you do I'll come back and kill you."
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