TWO brothers who launched an "unprovoked and serious attack" on a young man have been spared jail.

Reece Dewhurst suffered a fractured right eye socket after Michael and John McDonagh attacked him while he was out drinking in Accrington town centre on August 7, 2020.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Michael McDonagh, 25, had been drinking in The Railway pub in Blackburn Road when a verbal altercation broke out between him and Mr Dewhurst.

Mr Dewhurst, who declined to retaliate, left the pub with his friend and made his way to the Warner’s Arms in Warner Street, but not long after Michael McDonagh entered the pub.

Prosecuting, Sarah Johnson said that a short while later, McDonagh was joined by his brother, John, who had arrived in a taxi.

Ms Johnson said: “Mr Dewhurst was sat on a chair in the pub and was approached from behind by John McDonagh who punched him around 40 times.

“Mr Dewhurst made no attempt to fight back but had his arms up trying to protect himself.

“He then tried to leave the pub and walked past Michael McDonagh who punched him twice in the face.”

The court was told that Michael McDonagh had believed Mr Dewhurst had been in an altercation with his other brother the year before and that this attack was revenge.

However, Mr Dewhurst denied knowing any of the defendants and denied the alleged previous altercation had taken place.

Ms Johnson continued: “The incident ended when door staff intervened and ushered the defendants away.”

Mr Dewhurst suffered a fractured eye socket as a result of the attack, lost around £460 in wages due to hospital appointments, and says he is now anxious about visiting pubs in Accrington.

Ms Johnson added: “This was a planned and sustained attack which resulted in very serious injuries to the complainant.”

The defendants were identified and located as a result of the taxi ride John McDonagh had taken to the Warner’s Arms and both were arrested the following week.

They made no comment during their interviews but later pleaded guilty to GBH at a hearing at the magistrate’s court in February.

Peter Cruickshank, defending John McDonagh, said his client had been struggling to come to terms with his sexuality, and being from a traveller background, had been ostracised from the community after revealing to his family that he was gay.

He said: “This attack was in essence was a way of proving to his family and his community that he was worthy, and his actions were an over-compensation to try and gain the acceptance of the community again.

“He is ashamed of what he did and regrets his actions and shares some empathy with Mr Dewhurst.”

Rachel Cooper, defending Michael McDonagh, mitigated for a suspended sentence and said her client had a young family to support, and as a result of him showing his allegiance to his brother, had also been rejected by the traveller community, and found himself with little support from society.

She said: “He says what he did was stupid, and was driven by family loyalty.

“He does not know how his family will cope without him if he is sent to prison.”

John McDonagh, of Wesley Street in Church, has no previous convictions and was handed an 18-month sentence suspended for two years.

Michael McDonagh, of Dineley Street, Church, has one previous conviction for an unrelated offence, and was also handed an 18-month sentence suspended for two years.

Both defendants were ordered to carry out 25 rehabilitation activity days, with Michael McDonagh told to complete 90 days of alcohol treatment and John McDonagh 36 hours at an attendance centre.

A four-year restraining order was also issued to both defendants and they were each ordered to pay £230 compensation and £200 in court costs.

Recorder Geoffrey Lowe said: “This is clearly a serious offence where two of you were involved in an unprovoked attack on an innocent individual.

“Even if this individual was involved with an altercation with your brother you’ve taken the law into your own hands, and I know in your culture you might take things like this into your own hands but it is not acceptable.

“Both of you were under the influence of alcohol and drugs. This was a very unpleasant, violent and nasty incident which has done neither of you any credit.”