Pair jailed for 'vicious' assault in Yapton pub

John Brazil, 19, of Bilsham Road, Yapton, and family member Leslie Brazil, 36, of Manning Road, Littlehampton, became embroiled in an attack at the Olive Branch, in North End Road, on June 15.

During the incident, a man had his head stamped on and was kicked to the body as he lay unconscious on the floor.

Both men were sentenced at Chichester Crown Court this month after pleading guilty at earlier hearings. John Brazil was sentenced to 40 months’ detention in a young offenders’ institute for attempted grievous bodily harm and two years’ detention to run concurrently for affray. Leslie Brazil was jailed for 20 months for affray, with a further six months to run concurrently for assault by beating.

Detective Inspector Jim McKnight, from West Sussex CID, said: “This was a particularly vicious and sustained attack which saw one man hit across his face and another kicked and stamped on as he lay unconscious on the floor. The incident escalated after John Brazil was refused free drinks in the bar and ended in serious assaults and property being damaged. The court has demonstrated that significant custodial sentences will be passed to those who think they can behave in this way and get away with it.”