Brothers attack man in Newbury town centre

Magistrates heard how two brothers from Newbury punched and kicked a man after drinking large amounts of alcohol

TWO brothers savagely attacked a man in Newbury town centre after consuming large amounts of alcohol, West Berkshire Magistrates' Court heard last Thursday (November 3).

Daniel Morgan James Burnett and Lee Peter Burnett, both of Cromwell Road, Newbury, punched and kicked Ryan Dancey to the ground in Bartholomew Street at about 5am on August 27, the court was told.

Lauren Murphy, prosecuting, said Mr Dancey was walking towards the Botan restaurant in Newbury when he heard a verbal altercation between two males and a female.

She said he stood in between them and was punched and kicked on numerous occasions, causing him to fall to the floor.

Miss Murphy said: “He remembers being thrown to the floor and repeatedly punched and kicked.”

“He also remembers a female who was trying to restrain the males back.”

Miss Murphy said that Mr Dancey suffered a number of injuries as a result of the attack, including cuts to his face and forearm, a lump on his head, bruising to his right elbow and pain in his left shoulder.

Daniel Burnett, aged 25, and his 41-year-old sibling Lee Burnett both admitted assault by beating at an earlier hearing and the court was told that both had several previous convictions, including for alcohol related offences and violence.

The brothers both declined legal representation, but Lee Burnett said they were both very intoxicated.

He said he could not recall an argument with a female, but could recall someone approaching them waving their arms and being abusive, adding that he was sticking up for his brother and that the situation “got out of hand.”

He said: “I am sorry for what happened - I didn't go out to cause trouble.”

Daniel Burnett said: “I don't really remember much. I had had a lot to drink and my memory is pretty hazy.

“I do remember the lad coming up in my face and provoking me, but I am sorry as well - I didn't go out to intentionally cause trouble.”

Magistrates imposed a 12-month community order on both brothers, with requirements for 150 hours of unpaid work for each.

They also imposed a curfew requirement for the next 12 weeks, requiring Lee Burnett to remain at his home address between 8pm and 7am on Fridays and Saturdays and Daniel Burnett to remain at his home address between 8pm and 7am on Saturdays and Sundays.

Magistrates said both brothers would be fitted with an electronic tag, while both men were also ordered to pay £100 compensation to the victim and costs of £85 each.