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Brothers Michael and Thomas Flynn jailed after brutal attack on peacemaker outside Onyx nightclub in Folkestone

A peacemaker – who was beaten up by two drunken brothers outside a nightclub – needed to go to SIX hospitals for treatment.

Victim Christopher Cooper was punched and kicked after going to help a bouncer outside the Onyx Nightclub in Marine Gardens, Folkestone in April last year.

Brothers Michael and Thomas Flynn had turned on the security official after being thrown out of the club.

Thomas Flynn. Picture: Kent Police.
Thomas Flynn. Picture: Kent Police.

It was then that Mr Cooper, who was outside smoking a cigarette, urged the brothers to calm down.

But Canterbury Crown Court heard that the Flynns, from Dallas Brett Crescent, Folkestone turned their anger on Mr Cooper.

CCTV footage of the savage attack on April 25 was shown to Judge Simon James which revealed a “sustained attack” by the brothers who were “fuelled by alcohol”.

Michael Flynn. Picture: Kent Police.
Michael Flynn. Picture: Kent Police.

Mr Cooper suffered a fractured eye socket, internal bleeding, broken left lower jaw and a cheekbone fracture and was initially taken to the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford before being transferred to the Bristol Royal Infirmary.

Prosecutor Geoff Gelbert said he also needed procedures at four other hospitals and clinics including the Royal United Hospital in Bath, Bristol Eye Hospital and the Southmead Hospital, and was undergoing treatment until May 12.

Onyx nightclub in Marine Pavilion Parade, Folkestone
Onyx nightclub in Marine Pavilion Parade, Folkestone

Mr Cooper, 36, later told police: “I couldn’t eat solids for weeks and had to eat using a straw and even now I am reminded of the attack because I have rough chipped teeth.

“I still have vision issues with my left eye and my eye sight is worse now. My close family have struggled to deal with me being assaulted.”

Thomas Flynn, 20 and his 24 year old ex-squaddie brother Michael, who both admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm, now work for London Underground laying tracks.

Judge Simon James
Judge Simon James

John Barker, for Thomas, said: “There is no getting away from it that these were very nasty injuries and this was an appalling and ugly incident. But he has now stopped drinking.”

Peter Alcock, for Michael, said that both brothers had expressed “real regret” for the attack.

Both were jailed for 16 months after the judge said he accepted that they had both expressed genuine regret and "when sober" lead industrious lives.

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