Twins Jailed For Peterborough Attack

Two brothers have been jailed for a total of 17 years combined for a "brutal and sustained attack" on a man in Peterborough.

Twins Mark and Paul O'Reilly, 23, attacked the 22 year-old victim on the evening of July 18 this year at a property in Eastfield Road.

Cambridge Crown Court heard the victim had previously been friends with the brothers (pictured) and had grown cannabis with them but the relationship had turned sour after he accused them of stealing from him and they accused him of assaulting Mark's girlfriend.

Cornering the victim in a bedroom, Paul threw a fire extinguisher at him and struck him with a length of wood while Mark stabbed him several times with a knife.

In a desperate bid to escape, the victim pushed Mark down the stairs and ran out into the street towards the nearby Cavendish pub where he collapsed and was given first aid by members of the public.

Paramedics arrived and he was airlifted to Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge where he was treated for four stab wounds and collapsed lungs.

He is still recovering from the attack and has trouble breathing.

Initial inquiries by police identified the O'Reilly brothers as the attacker but following their arrests on suspicion of attempted murder both made no comment to questions.

They later pleaded guilty to wounding with intent at court and on Monday (Dec 22) were jailed, Mark, of Fletton Fields, Peterborough, to 9 years and Paul, of Tait Close, Peterborough, to 8 years.

DC Neil Gasson said: "This was a premeditated, brutal and sustained attack on the victim who received a number of life threatening wounds and is still recovering from his injuries today.

"The sentence handed down by the judge truly reflects the seriousness of the assault carried out by the O'Reillys."