Gang jailed for 'savage' attack

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Brother reveals attacked man's pain

Five men who dragged a man from his bed and beat him in a "savage and brutal attack" have been jailed.

John Hall, 48, who had moved from south Tyneside to Bristol six years ago was in a coma for three months and has suffered permanent brain damage.

Lee Hale, Ryan Hill, Jason Glanville, David Hill and Paul Hale were all jailed for between four and nine years.

They carried out the attack to force him from the house he shared with his ex-partner, Bristol Crown Court heard.

The nature and extent of the attack is shown by the extent of the injuries he sustained, and they are hard to comprehend. Judge David Ticehurst

Mr Hall now lives with his mother Irene Clarkson in South Shields, but returned to Bristol to hear the sentence.

He said: "[The prison sentences] are not enough because I will never be like I was a year ago, I was fit, playing football and I knew everybody. I will never do that again."

Bristol Crown Court heard the men had gone to the home Mr Hall shared with his former girlfriend Dawn Hale in Catherine Street, Avonmouth, Bristol, to "eject" him from the house after they had split up.

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Mr Hall criticised the length of the prison terms

Miss Hale's brother Lee, 28, and father Paul, 52, both from Severn Beach, along with her new partner Jason Glanville, 32, from Pilning, entered Mr Hall's bedroom at around 1930 BST on 9 September 2007.

Her cousin Ryan Hill, 24, from Yatton, and uncle David Hill, 41, of the same address, also went into the room.

'Misguided loyalties'

Mr Hall suffered a fractured back and skull, facial injuries and serious brain damage in the attack.

Lee Hale received a nine year jail term after admitting grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent while Ryan Hill, who also admitted GBH, was given eight years.

Jason Glanville, David Hill and Paul Hale each received four years after admitting causing actual bodily harm.

In mitigation, the court was told that all the men were remorseful for what they had done and had not intended the attack to lead to such violence.

Sentencing, Judge David Ticehurst said: "Whatever your misguided loyalties, your response was savage and brutal.

"The nature and extent of the attack is shown by the extent of the injuries he sustained, and they are hard to comprehend."

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Five jailed after man beaten