Carlisle, England – Two brothers in Carlisle, England, were handed suspended prison sentences after launching a vicious assault on a young man in the city center. Kenneth Brown, 27, and Shaun Brown, 24, were captured on CCTV attacking a stranger on Lowther Street in the early hours of October 30, 2022. The incident took place after the brothers, along with their father, attended a reunion for veterans of the Kings Own Royal Border Regiment.
The violence erupted when the Browns encountered the victim in the street and an argument ensued over football allegiances. The brothers proceeded to brutally attack the man with punches, kicks, and stamps, leaving him with serious injuries including a fractured hand, a broken nose, and severe bruising. Despite the severity of the assault, the victim was fortunate to not sustain life-changing injuries or worse.
Following a public appeal for information, the brothers were identified and admitted to the charge of attempted grievous bodily harm with intent. During the sentencing, Recorder Julian Shaw described the attack as cowardly and brutal, emphasizing the vulnerability of the victim during the assault. Despite their remorse and lack of prior convictions, the judge imposed strict conditions on the brothers, including unpaid work, curfews, and alcohol monitoring.
The judge cited prison overcrowding as a reason for suspending the two-year prison sentences, noting that this decision was based on the defendants’ expressions of regret and the absence of prior criminal records. Additionally, both brothers were employed and in stable relationships at the time of the incident, with Shaun Brown expecting to become a father. The suspended sentences require the brothers to complete rehabilitation programs, perform unpaid work, abide by curfews, and abstain from alcohol for a specified period.
In the aftermath of the assault, the victim expressed concerns about the impact of his injuries on his career as a plasterer, potentially jeopardizing his apprenticeship. The judge ordered the brothers to pay £1,200 in compensation to the victim as part of their sentencing requirements. Despite the severity of their actions, the brothers were given a chance at rehabilitation and community service as an alternative to immediate incarceration.