Three members of a religious movement who attacked two former followers have been jailed for a total of 11 years.
The victims, who own a restaurant in Rickmansworth, were members of The World of Yaad, which claims to hold the secret to everlasting life.
They angered their attackers after they left the religion, and were also embroiled in a bitter business dispute with them.
The trio forced their way into Blue Fire, in Uxbridge Road, while the restaurant was closed, and made threats before seriously injuring one of the victims, who lives in Rickmansworth.
The man received serious facial injuries and has since undergone facial reconstruction.
Francesco Zand, 36, of Kings Langley, Herts, was jailed for seven years for grievous bodily harm with intent and attempted grievous bodily harm with intent.
The second victim, from north London, was treated for shock and received minor injuries from Zand and Mohammed Kashefi, 48, also from Kings Langley, who pleased guilty to actual bodily harm and received a two year prison term.
Mehdi Zand, 48, (pictured) from Kings Langley - the leader of The World of Yaad - was sentenced to two years in prison after pleading guilty to violent disorder.
Detective Sergeant Kevin Brown said: "This was a violent targeted attack on two individuals over both the ownership of the restaurant and simply because of the injured parties’ disassociation with Mehdi Zand’s movement.
"This attack was an extreme reaction to the situation and has had long term psychological and physical effects on the victims.
"The verdicts reflect that behaviour of this kind will simply not be tolerated in Hertfordshire.
"Should individuals attempt to take matters into their own hands to resolve disputes with violence, the consequences will be severe and harsh. You will very likely be given a custodial sentence."
