Carlisle, England – Two brothers who viciously attacked a young man on a city street in Carlisle have avoided immediate prison sentences due to overcrowding in the prisons. CCTV footage captured the violent assault carried out by Kenneth Brown, 27, and Shaun Brown, 24, on Lowther Street in the early hours of October 30, 2022.
The brothers, originally from Kirkby, Liverpool, had traveled to Carlisle to attend an annual reunion for Kings Own Royal Border Regiment (KORBR) veterans with their father, a former soldier. The violence erupted after an altercation at a local bar, where the brothers were described as argumentative and aggressive by bar staff.
Around 2 am, the brothers encountered a stranger on the street, leading to a brutal attack involving punches, kicks, and stamps. The victim, who expressed his support for Manchester United, was left with serious injuries, including a broken nose, hand fracture, and extensive bruising.
Following a public appeal for information and CCTV images, the brothers were identified and admitted to a charge of attempted grievous bodily harm with intent. During sentencing, the judge described the attack as “cowardly, brutal, sustained,” and expressed astonishment that the victim did not suffer life-changing injuries or worse.
Despite their violent actions, the judge noted that the brothers had no prior criminal record and were remorseful for their actions. As a result, the two-year prison sentences for each brother were suspended for two years, contingent on completing rehabilitation programs, unpaid work, night-time curfews, and monitoring for alcohol abstinence.
Additionally, the brothers were ordered to pay £1,200 in compensation to the victim. The judge emphasized that the decision to suspend their sentences was influenced by the current full capacity of the country’s prisons. The brothers were also urged to reflect on their actions and strive to become productive members of society moving forward.