Sentences reduced

A NEWHAVEN teenager and his friend who stamped on their helpless victims during a violent attack have had their sentences reduced by appeal court judges.

Bradley Hughes, of Northdown Road, Newhaven, and Danny Osbourne, of Stonery Road, Portslade, both aged 17 at the time of the attack, were sentenced to seven years at a Young Offenders Institution for causing grievous bodily harm with intent. They were both aged 18 when sentenced at Lewes Crown Court on April 9.

One of the pair s victims, Christopher Docherty, was so severely kicked he suffered permanent brain damage.

But judges sitting at London s Court of Appeal last week cut each of the teenager s term by a year to six years.

The court heard how the pair had been drinking in Brighton on a Friday night in September last year when in the early hours they encountered Graham Barren walking alone.

Mr Barren was attacked and Mr Docherty, who went to his aid, was also assaulted.

The brutal attack was recorded by a CCTV camera as the pair kicked and punched the two to the ground. They even swopped over as they stamped on their victims.

Lord Justice Mance said: 'One witness described the kicks as made with a "full swing with a foot as if kicking a football". Another said he could not believe that they could be kicking a human being with such force. He thought they must be bags of rubbish.

'And yet another witness said they thought Mr Docherty must be dead.

After a three minute assault, during which Osbourne and Hughes warned away anyone that tried to intervene, the victims were left. They were later taken to hospital by ambulance.

Mr Docherty, a painter and decorator who had gone to the other man s aid despite not knowing him, suffered fractures to facial bones and permanent brain damage.

Mr Barren suffered mild brain damage and concussive syndrome.

Hughes and Osbourne admitted a scuffle, but nothing more.

Lord Justice Mance said the original trial judge had made no reference to their 'considerable youth in his sentencing remarks.

He concluded: 'We have come to the conclusion that some small deduction can be given.