TWO brothers attacked the owner of a Worcester bed and breakfast business after he gave refuge to a group of youths being chased along a street.

Stuart and Matthew O’Boyle were drinking with their father in a pub when they claimed they saw three youths interfering with property opposite, where their mother worked.

They chased after them until the group was helped by Richard Hines who let them into his Barbourne guest house for protection.

Stuart O’Boyle falsely accused Mr Hines on his doorstep of having a knife – before punching him to the ground.

His brother rained blows on the victim as well, Worcester Crown Court heard.

The brothers stopped the attack after their father turned up, said Nicolas Cartwright, prosecuting.

Mr Hines, aged 39, was taken to hospital with a bruised face and cuts inside his mouth which required two stitches.

Judge Robert Juckes QC said it was “a persistent attack on an unprotected man” who was only trying to help others.

He said 21-year-old Stuart O’Boyle took the leading role and gave him 18 months jail. Matthew O’Boyle, 20, who had no previous convictions, was sentenced to nine months detention.

The brothers, both of Woodland Road, Worcester, pleaded guilty to assault causing actual bodily harm.

The incident happened on September 19 last year when Stuart O’Boyle was out on licence from a 28 month sentence for robbery and assault.

He boasted about the attack on Mr Hines to a probation officer who passed on the information to police, said Mr Cartwright. The brothers at first claimed they were acting in self defence.

Jason Aris, for Stuart O’Boyle, said he was dealing with an alcohol problem and had shown signs of growing maturity. His partner, though, had had enough of his behaviour and refused to take their two-year-old daughter to visit him on remand in jail.

Neal Williams, for Matthew O’Boyle, said he was anxious not to end up like his brother.