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Four men who repeatedly attacked a reveller on a night out have been given suspended prison sentences.

Brothers Dylan and Charlie Grayson and their friends Kyle Knighton and John Goddard, all aged 21, kicked and punched a defenceless man in Darlington in July 2023, Teesside Crown Court heard.

Judge Richard Bennett said the victim, who suffered multiple injuries, was attacked even after he tried to flee from the "disgraceful and ugly demonstration of violence".

The attackers, all from Spennymoor, County Durham, were warned they were a "whisker away from going to prison", after they admitted assault causing actual bodily harm and affray.

The court heard the four men were part of a group out in Darlington town centre on 14 July.

One of their group punched a man, although the attacker had not been identified, before the violence escalated against another man, the judge said.

The second victim was kicked and punched to the floor where further blows were delivered, before he was set upon again as he tried to run away.

He suffered a laceration to his mouth and extensive bruising, with his injuries causing him to miss several significant family events.

In a statement read to the court, the man said the beating was "totally unprovoked" and its effects were long-lasting.

The victim of the first attack said he would never go out in Darlington again.

In mitigation, the court heard all the attackers were drunk with some also having taken cocaine.

They all said they were ashamed of their actions and wished to apologise to the victims.

Judge Bennett said each member of the gang played a different part, but he drew no distinction between them.

He said the attack was "prolonged and persistent" and continued even after the "obviously vulnerable victim" was lying on the ground.

Goddard, of Fairview Drive, threw at least five punches and a kick, while Knighton, of Beech Avenue, launched three kicks and a knee, the court heard.

Charlie Grayson initially tried to break up the brawl before losing his temper and landing at least eight punches and a kick as the violence moved through the town centre, Judge Bennett said.

Dylan Grayson, who lives with his brother in Victoria Gardens, landed three kicks and five punches and pulled the victim to the floor, the court heard.

Knighton and Charlie Grayson were each jailed for 15 months, suspended for two years, and Goddard and Dylan Grayson got 14 months suspended for two years, getting a month less because they pleaded guilty at an earlier stage in proceedings.

Judge Bennett said they were a "whisker away from going to prison" but, after hearing they had all expressed remorse and each had a realistic prospect of rehabilitation, the sentences would be suspended.

All were also ordered to each carry out 200 hours unpaid work and pay £250 compensation.

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