Men injured during family fued attack
Two men suffered head wounds when violence erupted between two feuding families in Sunderland after a row over a horse.
Trouble started between the two sides after a group of girls fell out about the way a tethered horse at a grassed area in Sunderland was being petted, leading to accusations of mistreatment.
Newcastle Crown Court heard a confrontation between men from opposing sides of the argument led to violence and injury.
Prosecutor Kevin Wardlaw told the court brothers Thomas and Michael Hackett turned up at the home of their rivals and launched an attack on two men.
The court heard Thomas Hackett caused £375 damage to a car belonging to one of the men.
The court heard one of the brothers was armed, but it is unclear which one had the weapon or what it was.
Mr Wardlaw added: “One man was attacked, hit to the head from behind and while on the ground repeatedly kicked.
“The other went to his assistance, by pulling him away from the two defendants .
“He was also attacked and knocked to the ground, where the attack continued. Kicks were being directed towards him.”
Thecourtheardoneofthe men suffered two wounds to his head and abrasions to his shoulder and arm. The other had a single wound to his head and abrasions to his knees, elbows and back.
Both men needed hospital treatment after the incident in July 2014.
Thomas Hackett, 23, of Fordenbridge Square, Sunderland, admitted criminal damage and affray.
Michael Hackett, 28, of Hylton Road, Sunderland, admitted affray.
Judge Jeremy Freedman sentenced both men to a community order with 150 hours’ unpaid work.
Judge Freedman said a prison sentence centre may have been appropriate for both men, had the case got to court in a reasonable time.
The judge said both men were now “getting on with your lives”.
Prosecutors could give no explanation for the two-anda-half year delay for the case to be dealt with.