TWO brothers who subjected their victim to "unprovoked gratuitous violence" walked free from court yesterday.

Ian Barratt, 19, of Napier Street, Darlington and Reginald Barratt, 21, of West Chilton Terrace, Chilton, both County Durham, admitted causing actual bodily harm to a man in a Darlington park on January 10 last year.

The pair, the court heard, had been drinking heavily, when they and "one or two" others attacked the man, who was left with a fractured rib and concussion.

He was unable to work for a week, and lost about £1,000 on a contract.

The court heard that the attack was out of character for them both, and they had shown remorse for their actions.

Judge Leslie Spittle said the attack had been "unprovoked gratuitous violence" and that the brothers had avoided custody "by the skin of their teeth".

He described their behaviour as despicable.

He sentenced the pair to a two-year rehabilitation order and 100 hours of community service.

He also ordered Ian Barratt to pay £250 compensation to the victim and Reginald Barratt to pay £500 compensation, in relation to his loss of earnings.