Brothers locked up for revenge attack after death of father

Adam and Leon Leighton had an unfounded belief that Mark Hawkins bore some responsibility for the drugs-linked death of Craig Leighton, Stafford Crown Court heard.

The brothers chased Mr Hawkins until he tripped over and then gave him a beating which left him with a broken arm and a head injury.

Mr Roger Brown, prosecuting, said Mr Leighton's death had been fully investigated at an inquest and no charges had been laid against anyone.

The brothers, both of Gorse Drive, Huntington, each admitted a charge of inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent on August 6 last year.

Adam Leighton also admitted a separate charge of common assault on Mr Hawkins on July 31.

Mr Brown said that offence involved the defendant getting out of a car in Cannock High Street and Leighton trying to punch Mr Hawkins.

Afterwards, someone asked him what it was all about and he replied 'that was Craig Leighton's son, he thinks I killed Craig'.

A week later, Mr Hawkins was in Church Street, Cannock, when he became aware of someone running behind him.

It was 19-year-old Adam Leighton, who said 'you killed my f**king dad'.

He tried to throw a punch, but missed and ended up on the floor and his 23-year-old brother helped him up while Mr Hawkins ran off.

He tripped over in Crab Lane, rolling in to a ball to protect himself, and the brothers began attacking him.

Mr Hawkins saw a flash of some kind of implement as he was struck on the body and arm.

At that point, people came out of a block of flats nearby and the brothers fled.

Miss Sarah Allen, representing Adam, said the offences were motivated by grief.

She said: "Revenge is not a mitigating factor, however what is important is the overwhelming grief at the loss of a parent. It leads people to do things they would not normally do, sometimes taking out revenge when they should not.

"He was so consumed with fury, anger and grief over his father, he wasn't able to control himself.

Mr Mark Jones, for Leon, said emotions had been running high over the loss of their father.

Leon Leighton was jailed for four years and his brother sent to young offender custody for the same period.

Judge John Wait told them: "I accept you were angry and aggrieved about what you believed was a responsibility that Mr Hawkins bore, in part, for the death of your father.

"Any responsibility that he may have been alleged to have had will have been investigated by the coroner.

"It is not for you to take the law in to your own hands. An attack in revenge is generally an aggravating feature."