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Bristol Post
Bristol Post
National
Geoffrey Bennett

Brothers sentenced for assaulting man sat in car

Bad blood after a gambling win resulted in brothers pummelling a man.

James Williams was sat in a car outside a shop when Fraser and then Ryan Robbins launched an attack on him.

Bristol Crown Court heard they rained blows on him as they tried to pull him from the car, and Fraser Robbins kicked him.

After they fled the scene, Fraser Robbins messaged Mr Williams saying either to meet him in a lane, or he would pay him a visit.

Both Fraser Robbins, 28, of Warwick Road in Keynsham, and Ryan Robbins, 27, of the same address, pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm on April 2.

The Recorder of Bristol His Honour Judge Peter Blair QC handed both men a 10 months prison sentence, suspended for 18 months.

He said he had taken account of the increased level of punishment coronavirus has on immediate jail terms.

Both were ordered to undergo rehabilitation and to each pay Mr Williams £150 compensation.

Fraser Robbins was given 100 hours of unpaid work and Ryan Robbins received 70 hours of unpaid work.

The judge told them: "The actual bodily harm involved an attack on somebody sitting in a car.

"He was known to you, Fraser Robbins.

"You had history which led you to losing your temper with him.

"You punched him and your older brother Ryan Robbins became involved in a joint attack."

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Leanne Woodman, prosecuting, said Mr Williams was sat in the front passenger seat of a car outside the Premier shop in Queens Road, Keynsham, when Fraser Robbins opened his door.

Miss Woodman said: "Fraser Robbins clenched his right fist and punched him to the head several times.

"Mr Williams pushed him back.

"Ryan Robbins then punched him several times to the face and head."

As Mr Williams clambered to the driver's side the brothers screamed: "Come on!", Miss Woodman said.

She told the court: "Mr Williams tried to defend himself.

"The driver's door was opened by Fraser Robbins and Mr Williams was pulled out onto the floor.

"Mr Williams felt kicks to his head three of four times, and an attempt to stamp on his head."

With that a former pub landlady monitoring shoppers due to the coronavirus crisis reverted to "landlady mode" and told the brothers to stop, the court heard.

The brothers continued to strike Mr Williams before he went to the shop and they ran off - one shouting: "Wait until next time, it will be worse!"

Mr Williams, who sustained a black eye, cut lip and bruising, picked out the brothers from an identity parade.

The dad-of-two made a statement saying he was left "shaken and shocked" by the assault and was also left with four to five loosened teeth - though he had not attended either hospital or a dentist due to the pandemic.

Paul Cornelius, a probation officer, said demolition worker Fraser Robbins stated he won a significant sum by gambling, had been the victim of a burglary, and he had thought Mr Williams was involved.

Mr Cornelius said: "There was a lot of bad blood between the parties."

Fraser Robbins conceded punching and kicking Mr Williams.

Giles Tippett, defending Ryan Robbins, stressed his client had not started the assault and had not used kicks.

The court heard Ryan Robbins had been recalled on licence following a nine-year conviction for wounding with intent.
 

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