THREE men who punched and kicked two brothers in a violent and unprovoked attack in a residential street in Hereford have been given suspended sentences.

Liam Clarke, 24, Calum Dunlop, 24 and Henrik Mansfield, 25 all pleaded guilty to violent disorder following the assault in Hampton Park Road in the early hours of the morning on August 18, 2013.

One of the victims sustained a fractured jaw, which still impacts on his daily life.

Judge Daniel Pearce-Higgins QC, who sentenced the trio at Hereford Crown Court on January 16, warned about the dangers of drinking excess alcohol, as the defendants and victims had been drinking.

He said: "This is another reminder of the dangers of alcohol, or rather alcohol in excess, and the harm that it can cause- far greater, in my opinion, than drugs."

Simon Rippon, prosecuting, said brothers, Daniel and Benjamin James, were on their way home in a taxi after a night out in Hereford, while the three defendants were walking to a house with other people.

He said Mansfield decided to play "chicken" with the taxi and broke its wing mirror.

When the taxi driver stopped, Daniel James got out to see if Mansfield was ok, but was confronted by Clarke.

The taxi driver, Mohammed Tariq, said he saw Clarke hit Mr James, who fell to the floor hitting the taxi on his way down. He said all three then punched and kicked him on the floor, before turning their attention to Benjamin James when he got out of the taxi to help his brother.

Mr Daniel James was left with a fractured jaw and had to undergo surgery. He now has difficulty eating, the court heard.

His brother, Benjamin, sustained a 3cm cut to his top lip.

Defending Clarke, Trevor Meegan, said he is remorseful and is learning to manage his anger. He wants to move permanently to Bristol, where he has a full time job offer.

Anna Midgley, defending Mansfield, said he had recently lost his grandfather and admitted he had drunk a lot. She said his references show how he is considered, thoughtful and kind.

Defending Dunlop, Anthony Bell said he admits he threw a punch but he also showed his true character by getting Clarke away.

Judge Pearce-Higgins said although he attached "no blame at all" to the victims, he was sure if they were sober they would have avoided the violence.

In sentencing the defendants, he said they had minimal previous involvement with the police; skilled jobs, stable relationships and good references.

He said the attack was unplanned and he accepted their behaviour was out of character.

All three were banned for 12 months from all on licensed premises- pubs, clubs and licensed restaurants- in England and Wales.

Clarke, of Church Croft, Madley, was given 18 months in prison suspended for two years; a supervision order for two years; 150 hours of unpaid work and ordered to pay compensation of £750.

Mansfield, of Lingfield, Wigmore, Leominster was given 12 months in prison suspended for two years; 225 hours of unpaid work and ordered to pay £250 compensation.

Dunlop, of Poplar Road, Clehonger was given 12 months in prison suspended for two years; 200 hours unpaid work and ordered to pay £250 compensation.

The officer in the case, DC Donna-Louise Flowers, said: “This was a violent and unprovoked attack on two members of the public who were on their way home following an enjoyable evening out.

"The victims were concerned that the taxi they were travelling in had clipped one of the group on Hampton Park Road, and asked the taxi to stop so they could check on the male.

"As a result of their concern, they were met with a sustained and violent attack. There was no justification for this type of behaviour. One of the victims received a serious injury which has impacted on his daily life."