Carlisle, UK – Two brothers in Carlisle, UK, were handed suspended prison sentences for a violent attack on a young man in the city center. CCTV footage captured the brutality of Kenneth Brown, 27, and Shaun Brown, 24, as they assaulted a stranger on Lowther Street in October 2022.

The brothers, hailing from Liverpool, got into an altercation with bar staff at a local establishment before encountering the victim on the street. The victim, who expressed support for Manchester United, was viciously assaulted by the Browns in an attack involving punches, kicks, and stamps. The victim suffered significant injuries, including a fractured hand, a broken nose, and extensive bruising, impacting his career as a plasterer.

Following a public appeal for information and CCTV images, the brothers were identified and charged with attempted grievous bodily harm with intent. The judge described the attack as cowardly and brutal, highlighting the severe consequences the victim narrowly avoided.

Despite the severity of the crime, the judge acknowledged the brothers’ lack of prior convictions, remorse, and stable relationships. The sentences were suspended due to prison capacity issues, with the brothers required to fulfill rehabilitation requirements and compensate the victim. The brothers were ordered to perform 300 hours of unpaid work, adhere to night-time curfews, and undergo alcohol abstinence monitoring.

Overall, this case sheds light on the challenges faced by the justice system in ensuring appropriate punishment for violent offenders while considering prison capacity constraints. The suspended sentences serve as a reminder of the complex factors affecting sentencing decisions in criminal cases.