TWO brothers launched an attack on a woman out with her female fiancee in Burton town centre, a court heard.
The trouble started with verbal abuse, but Robert Slater then punched Charlotte Hall on the back of the neck.
When she turned round, he punched her again in the face, got hold of her in a bear hug and they wrestled to the ground, said Pat Sullivan, prosecuting.
His brother, Johnathan Slater, joined in the fracas, kicking out at Ms Hall and elbowing her fiancee, Hayley Galli, in the head. Ms Hall was also kicked by Robert.
At the end of the violence, Johnathan called the two women “dykes”.
As a result of the attack, Ms Hall was detained in hospital overnight with suspected concussion. She was bleeding from the nose and had other injuries.
Robert Slater, aged 18, and his 21-yearold brother, both of Harwood Avenue, Branston, admitted assault causing actual bodily harm to Ms Hall. Johnathan also admitted common assault on Ms Galli.
Robert Slater was given an eight month youth custody sentence, suspended for two years, ordered to do 200 hours unpaid community work and pay Ms Hall £500 compensation, plus £300 costs.
Jonathan Slater was given four months youth custody, suspended for two years, with 150 hours work, £500 compensation to Ms Hall and £200 to Ms Galli, plus £300 costs.
Judge Simon Tonking told Stafford Crown Court: “This was a joint offence of violence in the street, at night which led to a female victim suffering injuries to her face, bruising to her lip and a bleeding nose.
“The woman who came to her aid you, Johnathan, deliberately elbowed to the head.” But the judge said the insult about ‘dykes’ was “a throwaway remark” not amounting to hostility based on presumed sexual orientation.
Mr Sullivan said the violence, in the early hours of October 4 last year, was captured on closed circuit television cameras.
When it started Ms Galli had shouted ‘don’t hit her — she’s a woman’ and Robert responded ‘no it ain’t’.
Ms Galli also told Johnathan ‘she’s a woman’ but his response was ‘I’m not bothered’ and went on to say ‘you dykes’.
Darron Whitehead, for Johnathan Slater, said both brothers came from a good family and were normally well behaved and polite.
“They are deeply ashamed as to what they have done. For 90 seconds they turned in to individuals they are not.” Nick Smith, for Robert Slater, said it had been an “alcohol-fuelled” incident in the town centre. “He now realises life can change in a second, not just for him, but for victims as well.”
