This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/south_yorkshire/8469424.stm

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Boys tortured attack victims Boys tortured attack victims
(41 minutes later)
Two brothers attacked two young boys by punching them, forcing them to eat nettles and running broken glass across their throats, a judge has heard. Two brothers attacked two young boys by punching them, running broken glass across their throats and forcing them to eat nettles, a judge has heard.
Sheffield Crown Court heard the pair, aged 10 and 12, led the youngsters to an isolated spot in Edlington.Sheffield Crown Court heard the pair, aged 10 and 12, led the youngsters to an isolated spot in Edlington.
Nicholas Campbell QC said the elder brother put one of the victims to the ground and tried to choke him so he could neither talk or breath. Nicholas Campbell QC said the elder brother put one of the victims to the ground and tried to choke him so he could not talk or breathe.
The attack happened a week after the pair assaulted another 11-year-old boy. The pair have admitted causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
The brothers are being sentenced in a hearing which is expected to last three days. They have also each pleaded guilty to robbing one of the boys of a mobile phone and the other of a sum of money.
A BBC investigation has already revealed that the two attackers were well known troublemakers and that social services were heavily involved in their lives. Both have also admitted two counts of intentionally causing a child to engage in sexual activity.
Threats to kill
Judge Mr Justice Keith was told the brothers took hold of their victims and dragged them through a gap in a fence, while threatening to kill them.
Mr Campbell said: "The brothers continued the threats, this time saying 'We're gonna kill you and we're gonna kill the rest of your family if you don't shut up'."
What they endured was humiliating and embarrassing Prosecutor Nicholas Campbell
During the attack, the older brother focused his attention on the older victim, while the other brother targeted the younger boy.
The prosecutor said the victims, who are uncle and nephew, were subjected to an assault that was "both physically painful and emotionally traumatic - it was frightening".
"In addition, what they endured was humiliating and embarrassing."
He said the boys set out on Saturday April 4 with their BMX bikes and their dog.
They were approached by the brothers after they went to a shop and the brothers, whom they had met before, asked to use their bikes.
Social Services
They then asked their victims if they wanted to go and see a dead fox.
Mr Campbell said: "Once concealed in the trees, the brothers told (the boys) that they were going to kill them."
The brothers have also admitted causing another 11-year-old boy actual bodily harm a week before the young boys were attacked.
They are being sentenced in a hearing which is expected to last three days.
A BBC investigation has already revealed that the two attackers were well known to social services in the region who were heavily involved in their lives.
A Safeguarding Children Board report, seen by BBC Newsnight, found the attack could have been prevented.A Safeguarding Children Board report, seen by BBC Newsnight, found the attack could have been prevented.