Barry | Archive | 2004 | August | 12
From the archive, first published Thursday 12th Aug 2004.
A BARRY teenager found guilty of a vicious attack on a father and his two sons has been given 100 hours' community punishment.
Kyle Gettings, aged 18, of Blackwell Close, appeared in Newport Crown Court alongside his brother, Keiron Gettings, aged 20, of Waltwood Road, Newport; Jamie Green, also 20, of Beech Close, Llanmartin, and a 17-year-old Newport youth who cannot be named for legal reasons.
The gang of four was charged with an attack on Philip Jennings, 47, and his two sons Lloyd and Donovan on Friday, March 19, as the family was walking in Newport.
Mr Jennings had intervened after witnessing Kyle Gettings shouting at a group of girls.
The gang set upon him, pushing him to the floor and punching and kicking him before pinning him against a fence and attacking again.
While Mr Jennings' wife, Cynthia, ran for help, Lloyd, 19, and Donovan, 23, went to their father's aid but were punched and, when they fell to the floor, the defendants kicked and stamped on them
Philips Jennings' nose was broken during the attack and he is still being treated for depression and acute anxiety attacks.
Donovan Jennings had his eye socket fractured and suffered bruising and swelling, while Lloyd had cuts, bruises and swelling to his face.
Keiron Gettings was given an 18-month sentence in a young offenders' institution after all the defendants admitted causing grievous bodily harm to Donovan Jennings and actual bodily harm to Lloyd and Philip Jennings.
The 17-year-old was given a two-year community rehabilitation order and a curfew, Green was given a two-year community rehabilitation order and 100 hours' community punishment and Kyle Gettings a 100-hour community rehabilitation order. The three were ordered to pay £500 compensation to Donovan Jennings and £250 each to Lloyd and Philip.
The victims later said they were angry and that the judicial system has let them down after only one gang member was given a custodial sentence.
© Newsquest Media Group 2008