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Torture attack brothers detained Torture attack brothers detained
(40 minutes later)
Two brothers who tortured two boys in a "sadistic" attack have been sentenced to an indefinite period of detention.Two brothers who tortured two boys in a "sadistic" attack have been sentenced to an indefinite period of detention.
Sheffield Crown Court heard how the pair, then aged 10 and 11, threatened to kill their nine-year-old and 11-year-old victims in Edlington. Sheffield Crown Court heard how the pair, then aged 10 and 11, threatened to kill their nine and 11-year-old victims in Edlington, South Yorkshire.
The brothers, who admitted causing grievous bodily harm, were told they would serve a minimum five years.The brothers, who admitted causing grievous bodily harm, were told they would serve a minimum five years.
During their 90-minute ordeal in April 2009 the victims were stamped on, forced to strip and hit with bricks.During their 90-minute ordeal in April 2009 the victims were stamped on, forced to strip and hit with bricks.
Sentencing the brothers, the judge Mr Justice Keith described their behaviour as "appalling and terrible".Sentencing the brothers, the judge Mr Justice Keith described their behaviour as "appalling and terrible".
He added: "The fact is this was prolonged, sadistic violence for no reason other than that you got a real kick out of hurting and humiliating them.He added: "The fact is this was prolonged, sadistic violence for no reason other than that you got a real kick out of hurting and humiliating them.
Hearing the evidence in court during these past three days has also been deeply upsetting for us all Victims' families 'Toxic' life of brutal brothers Turning around child criminalsHearing the evidence in court during these past three days has also been deeply upsetting for us all Victims' families 'Toxic' life of brutal brothers Turning around child criminals
"The bottom line for the two of you is that I'm sure you both pose a very high risk of serious harm to others.""The bottom line for the two of you is that I'm sure you both pose a very high risk of serious harm to others."
In a statement issued through police, the families of the victims said the events had "rocked our lives".In a statement issued through police, the families of the victims said the events had "rocked our lives".
"We have found the last nine months to have been an extremely difficult and testing time," they said."We have found the last nine months to have been an extremely difficult and testing time," they said.
"Hearing the evidence in court during these past three days has also been deeply upsetting for us all.""Hearing the evidence in court during these past three days has also been deeply upsetting for us all."
Describing the effect of the attack on the victims, the judge said: "Their physical and emotional scars will live with them for a long time to come.Describing the effect of the attack on the victims, the judge said: "Their physical and emotional scars will live with them for a long time to come.
"Their relationship with each other has been seriously affected and their parents have been left with a strong sense of guilt, which they didn't begin to deserve, about whether they could have done more to protect their boys.""Their relationship with each other has been seriously affected and their parents have been left with a strong sense of guilt, which they didn't begin to deserve, about whether they could have done more to protect their boys."
'Most traumatic ever' 'Domination and degradation'
Part of the attack was filmed by one of the brothers on a mobile phone.Part of the attack was filmed by one of the brothers on a mobile phone.
The judge said: "By recording parts of what you did on a mobile, you made at least some of this an example of happy slapping."The judge said: "By recording parts of what you did on a mobile, you made at least some of this an example of happy slapping."
The brothers showed no emotion as the sentences were passed. As they were led out of court the mother of their younger victim swore at them and called them "evil". The judge said the boys had chosen their victims because of their vulnerability.
He told the older brother: "...you wanted to assert your dominance over them by the use of aggression, extreme violence and sexual degradation and inflicting pain in order to gain a sense of power and control over their lives."
Sgt Richard Vernon: 'It's the worst thing I've seen in 22 years'Sgt Richard Vernon: 'It's the worst thing I've seen in 22 years'
The judge said the younger boy had controlled the victims by "domination, degradation and inflicting pain for the purpose of your own emotional pleasure."
The brothers showed no emotion as the sentences were passed. As they were led out of court the mother of their younger victim swore at them and called them "evil".
Speaking about the case Det Supt Mick Mason of South Yorkshire Police said: "This is clearly the most traumatic investigation I have ever come across. Not the most difficult - but the most traumatic."Speaking about the case Det Supt Mick Mason of South Yorkshire Police said: "This is clearly the most traumatic investigation I have ever come across. Not the most difficult - but the most traumatic."
The court was told how the boys set out on Saturday 4 April with their BMX bikes and their dog. The court was told how the boys were approached by the brothers on 4 April and lured to an isolated wood ravine where they were strangled, stripped and forced to sexually abuse each other.
They were approached by the brothers and lured to an isolated wood ravine where they were strangled, stripped and forced to sexually abuse each other.
The older victim was seriously injured when pieces of ceramic sink were dropped on his head.The older victim was seriously injured when pieces of ceramic sink were dropped on his head.
The brothers have been placed on the sex offenders register for three years. After their tormentors left the scene the injured boy told the younger victim: "You go and I'll just die here."
The blood-soaked boy raised the alarm and the older boy was later found lying face down with the bottom half of his body naked.
One of the men who found him told the court he feared the youngster had died.
'Serious failings'
The attackers were placed on the sex offenders register for three years.
The boys also received 24 months detention for the offences of causing a child to engage in sexual activity and 18 months' detention for robbing the boys.
They were each sentenced to 30 months detention after they admitted causing another 11-year-old actual bodily harm a week before the young boys were attacked.
All sentences will run concurrently.
A BBC investigation has revealed the two attackers were well-known troublemakers and social services were heavily involved in their lives.A BBC investigation has revealed the two attackers were well-known troublemakers and social services 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.
Chair of the board, Roger Thompson, said: "No-one could have predicted the severity of the attack. However, the review has concluded there were serious failing in local services." Chair of the board, Roger Thompson, said: "No-one could have predicted the severity of the attack. However, the review has concluded there were serious failings in local services."