Three teens convicted of brutal attack on father
From front
"I didn’t know what to do. I was anxious and nervous.”
SimonShannon,defending Furlong, said: "His behaviour overall was in stark contest to the other defendants’. He was very much on the periphery."
Miss White said it was 'incredible' and 'quite frankly ludicrous'fortheyoungerboysto have suggested they were unaware of Mr Willson bleeding.
Shesaid:"Whatotherintentioncouldtherehavebeenother than to cause serious harm?
"With blows with a log like that to the head and face and whenamanisbludgeonedwith thatweight,thereisonlyoneintention. That is to cause really
serious harm. That was clearly successful.”
Her Honour Judge Christine Henson QC remanded the boys in a youth detention facility. Furlong was remanded in custody and was warned he faced a custodial sentence.
The three are expected to be sentenced on July 1.
Family’s ‘hell’
Following the trial, Sussex Police released a statement from Mr Willson’s wife, Annie.
She said: “Alan didn’t walk
into the park like this. Alan walked into the park being able to speak a sentence, and to move and dance and play football.Beforethishappened, Alan was the kindest, gentlest man ever. His personality was amazing. He would make you laugh if he saw you were down, he would joke about. How he is now is hugely different. His life is gone. He’s a completely different man.
“The impact it’s had on my family has been massive.
“Ourwholefamilyhasbeen through hell and will continue to go through hell forever.”
ChiefInspectorSarahLeadbeatter, district commander for Worthing, added: “I completely understand the shock andupsetthishorrificincident has caused, not only for those who know Alan but the wider community as well."
Sheadded:“Thelevelofviolence and criminality we have seen in this case is completely unacceptable and it will not be tolerated and I need the community’s continued support to help us tackle this disruptive behaviour. If you are a victim of crime, or become aware of a crime happening, please report it to us. Every bit of informationwereceivehelpspainta pictureofwhatishappeningin ourcommunityandputsusina better position to respond and take positive action.”