Three brothers have been sentenced after launching a violent attack on a man who rushed to the aid of a frightened motorist being targeted by the group.
Brandon Teague, 18, and Oliver Teague, 19, were in a group that threw a snowball at a motorist on a petrol station forecourt.
Another customer who had gone to buy cigarettes went to help but was soon surrounded, reports Stoke-on-Trent Live.
Michael Teague, aged 22, arrived in his car at the BP garage in Trentham, Staffordshire, and took off his jacket. All three brothers – along with a fourth man who was not identified – then started kicking and punching the victim.
Prosecutor Nick Tatlow said the nasty assault happened at the BP petrol station in Trentham at 7.30pm on December 28, 2020. He said the victim had gone to buy some cigarettes and saw a white car surrounded by a group. Mr Tatlow said: “A snowball had been thrown by someone at the car. The man seemed to be frightened.
“The man who had gone to buy cigarettes shouted for the group to leave the man alone. He approached the group and confronted Brandon Teague. At that point, Michael Teague pulled up in a Mercedes car. The man was surrounded by the group. He backed off. Brandon kicked him from behind at the same time the man swung a punch at Oliver. Michael punched the man from behind. He took his jacket off and hung it on a petrol pump.
“The victim was kicked by Oliver and Michael before Brandon punched him again. The man felt a heavy blow to his mouth from the side. He could tell straight away his jaw had been broken. He felt more punches as he went to his knees.”
The court heard the man was left with a double fracture to his jaw. In a victim statement, he said his jaw had to be repaired with plates and screws to both sides of his face. One of his front teeth had to be removed.
All three defendants, of Smithpool Road, Fenton, pleaded guilty to section 20 causing grievous bodily harm.
Rob Kearney, representing Oliver and Brandon Teague, said they had not covered themselves in any glory. He said Oliver was aged 17 at the time. He said the victim threw the first punch but the reaction went far beyond what was reasonable. He said Oliver had not re-offended since and was a low risk of re-offending.
Mr Kearney said Brandon was aged 16 at the time. He added: “Family loyalty played its part. It was disgraceful behaviour in a public place. It was a moment of madness, very quickly regretted. He is ashamed of his reaction and his actions.”
Anis Ali, mitigating for Michael Teague, said at the time he was an immature 20-year-old. Mr Ali said: “He is deeply remorseful. He regrets his involvement. He was not the instigator. His involvement came by reason of misguided loyalty towards his brothers.
“He is showing signs of maturing. He has become a father and he is in a positive relationship. He has developed his own business.”
Judge Paul Glenn said: “This was an ugly and deeply unpleasant incident. The video footage shows the victim threw the first blow but counsel concede by then he was left with little option. He was surrounded and he knew what was coming.
“You were actively involved in beating him up. He was punched and kicked to his head. His jaw was broken. He described it as flapping. He feared for his life.
As part of their respective sentences, Oliver and Brandon Teague must complete 180 hours unpaid work and a rehabilitation activity requirement for 20 days. All three defendants were ordered to pay their victim £1,500 compensation.
