TWO men behind the horrific attack of a pensioner in his home have been jailed for more than 40 years. 

Military-obsessed Ryan Hynes admitted trying to kill 70-year-old John Sales at his home, in Hythe Hill, Colchester, in November 2015.

The 21-year-old was hired by greedy 46-year-old Flash Ashley Day to kill his stepfather, Mr Sales, because he feared he would be cut out of his will.

A 17-year-old girl from Colchester, who had given Hynes a false alibi, avoided jail for perverting the course of justice.

Former Sainsbury's worker Day was desperate to inherit £200,000 from the sale of the Hythe Hill home.

But he decided he needed the money sooner rather than later and hired Hynes to kill Mr Sales, telling him where and when to do it.

Hynes tried to fulfil his contract and stabbed Mr Sales repeatedly as Mr Sales arrived home after knocking on the door of his home and pretending he had lost a football.  But he miraculously survived.

Hynes, of Long Road, Lawford, to 17 years and three months in jail for attempted murder and conspiracy to commit murder.

Judge Charles Gratwicke said: "You tried to kill him not because you disliked him, not because he had done anything wrong to you, but because you wanted him dead."

The judge also handed Day, of Rose Allen Avenue, in Colchester 25 years in jail.

Passing sentence Judge Gratwicke said: "You were at the forefront of this conspiracy.

"It was your plan brought about by your greed.

"You knew exactly what was going on throughout."

Hynes had denied attempted murder but admitted the charge on the first day of a planned trial.

Day, of Rose Allen Avenue, Colchester, was found guilty after a trial last month after less than half a day's deliberation.

The 17-year-old, admitted perverting the course of justice after giving Hynes a false alibi.

She was give a 12-month rehabilitation order, with a three month curfew and supervision along with 20 days of activity requirement.

Judge Gratwicke said he had been "merciful" towards her.

He said: "You should think yourself lucky not to be going downstairs."

The teenager cannot be named for legal reasons. The Gazette attempted to overturn the reporting restrictions but the application was turned down by Judge Gratwicke.

Scott Moffat, 50, of Colchester Road, Manningtree, was also charged with conspiracy to commit murder but was subsequently cleared of any involvement.