A BROTHER and sister attacked two of their friends after claiming they were owed hundreds of pounds, a court heard.

Bolton Crown Court was told Nnaemeka Onyegbuna and his sister Chinyere Onyegbuna assaulted Deane couple Ola and Abiola Dawd at their home.

The court heard how, in December 2013, the Onyegbunas gave Mrs Dawd goods they wanted shipping to Nigeria.

But Laura Nash, prosecuting, said that in January last year Mr Dawd's vehicle, parked outside his Pengwern Avenue home, was stolen along with the goods inside.

The Onyegbunas insisted that the items were worth around £1,300 and that the Dawds should pay – but by August 2014 they had only manage to raise £400.

Then on August 22 at 9pm, soon after arriving home from church, the Dawds were visited by the Onyegbunas.

Mr Dawd was pushed around the hallway by Nnaemeka, who had grabbed and tore his shirt whilst his sister repeatedly shouted 'finish him.'

Mrs Dawd ushered her children upstairs and then returned downstairs to try and separate the two men.

But Miss Nash said she was then assaulted by Chinyere who dragged her by the hair, ripped her dress and scratched her chest, warning that if she did not pay up she would be killed.

Mr Dawd managed to separate the two women but then Chinyere went to her car and returned to the house carrying a claw hammer.

But as she walked towards the television with the weapon, her brother grabbed her and dragged her outside.

During the 20 minute ordeal the Dawd's 12-year-old daughter called police and the Onyegbunas were arrested, initially denying assault.

In court Nnaemeka Onyegbuna, aged 39, of Mabels Brow, Farnworth, admitted assault and Chinyere Onyegbuna, 40, of Cromwell Grove, Manchester, pleaded guilty to assault, causing actual bodily harm and possessing an offensive weapon.

Colin Buckle, defending both siblings, said they were employed as healthcare workers and may lose their jobs as a result of the convictions.

"It began as a legitimate debt owed to them but they went about it in the wrong way," he said, adding that the offence was entirely out of character.

Judge Elliot Knopf said the Onyegbunas had been frustrated by the debt owed to them but their actions had been appalling.' He said: "But that does not justify, for one moment, that sort of behaviour. You had been friendly within the local church and they regarded you as their friends."

Chinyere Onyegbuna, a mum-of-one, was sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for two years and was ordered to do 200 hours unpaid work.

Her brother was handed a community sentence with 80 hours unpaid work.

Each of them must also pay £250 in compensation and costs and a restraining order was made preventing them from contacting the Dawds.