Three Sentenced After "Brutal" Attack

15 April 2011, 17:52 | Updated: 15 April 2011, 17:54

Three people have today (Friday April 15th) been sentenced to a total of 13 and a half years following an attack in which a man nearly died in Letchworth.

The attack happened at around 7.20pm on November 2, 2010, in Howard Park. The victim, a 44 year old man from Letchworth was assaulted by 20 year old Jack Hogan, from Ellice in Letchworth and 21 year old Billy Driver, who is of no fixed address, brutally attacked the man and stole his mobile phone. 

24 year old Faye Braybrooks of Huns Hill Close in Stevenage has admitted robbery/

They were given the following sentences at Cambridge Crown Court:
• Jack Hogan received an eight year sentence having pleaded guilty to GBH
• Billy Driver received a four year sentence having pleaded guilty to GBH
• Fay Braybrooks received a 16 month sentence having pleaded guilty to robbery

Detective Inspector Kay Lancaster and her team investigated the case and said: “This was a barbaric attack on an extremely vulnerable and innocent man. These three callous people targeted their victim and plied him with drink. They made fun of him because he was gay and having planned this most vicious assault they led him away.   Jack and Billy attacked him, punching, kicking and stamping on him while he was on the floor.  He was left for dead and is truly lucky to be alive.

“Jack and Billy have shown no remorse for their actions. It is truly sickening. This crime shocked the community and I am pleased these people have been given prison sentences which reflect the brutally of their crime.”

The victim, who does not wish to be named, added: “I am extremely happy with the result and the sentencing.

“It is hard for me to describe how I feel about my attack. I do not think that people fully appreciate how devastating and destructive a vicious and barbaric assault like this has on you.

“My physical injuries are healing slowly, but my emotional injuries will remain with me for a lifetime. I spent a long time in hospital recovering and would like to thank all the staff for their fantastic work and would also like to thank everybody."