Gareth McCluskey's and Javal McDonald's attack on a man was "disgraceful", a judge said today.
The pair received five-and-half years each at Nottingham Crown Court for attacking Steven Winfield in Whitemoor on July 28, 2010.
They both admitted causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
Judge Andrew Hamilton told them it was a disgraceful assault and that they absolutely pummeled their victim.
"You rendered him effectively disabled and he can no longer walk. All this was done when he was sitting on his settee."
McCluskey, 28, of Vale Road, Colwick, said to Mr Winfield, who he had known for many years, "what have you been saying about my mum?"
Both men then dived on Mr Winfield while he was still sat on his sofa.
Mr Winfield tried to fight them off but one threw a heavy ornamental elephant at him, then he was punched and hit on his body and head.
One of the men overpowered him in a headlock, he was dragged to the floor and further punched and kicked.
Mr Winfield remembered a constant pounding away at his head and body, and felt one of them trying to strangle him.
McDonald said "kill him and don't let him up" and McCluskey said "hold his head up and I'll scalp him".
Blood was pouring from Mr Winfield's face and head and he could not see properly during his 15-minute ordeal.
After the men fled, he went to hospital for treatment to bruising and swelling to his eyes.
Three days later four lower fractures were found to his vertebrae.
The court heard the attack could have exacerbated a previous, underlying back condition.
Experts believed he would have recovered from this attack in 12 to 18 months.
Mr Winfield, a painter and decorator, has been unable to work since.
McDonald, 24, of Whitechapel Street, Basford, had previous convictions for affray, while McCluskey had been before the courts for drink-driving, disorderly behaviour and burglary.
Gregor Purcell, mitigating for McDonald, said the attack was an outburst of anger and no weapons were used.
Adrian Langdale, for McCluskey, said his client had turned his life around and had treatment for an alcohol addiction.
