TWIN brothers have walked from court with suspended sentences for attacking a man with a piece of concrete during a row over a football.

Darren Hooton, 33, of Burrow Road, Folkestone, and his twin Daniel, of The Glen, Shepherdswell, were told their behaviour was disgraceful when they appeared at Canterbury Crown Court for sentence.

Both were given nine months, suspended for two years having admitted assault. Daniel Hooton must also do 75 hours unpaid community work and his brother will be supervised for 12 months. Each must pay £350 compensation to their victim and £100 costs.

Paul McNeil is married to Darren Hooton’s ex-wife and in July 2006 he lived in the same road as Daniel Hooton.

There was a dispute because a football had been taken and matters deteriorated into a row between Mr McNeil and Daniel Hooton.

Daniel Hooton pushed Mr McNeil through a fence then Darren appeared. Mr McNeil felt three or four blows to his head and saw Danny holding a piece of concrete.

Darren Hooton was punching and kicking him. Mr McNeil later needed stitches to a head wound and to his finger. The twins later claimed they were acting in self defence.

Passing sentence, Judge Timothy Nash said: “This was disgraceful behaviour and you have brought shame on yourselves and your families over a football, a stupid little round thing people kick around. You lost your judgement.”

He said all had too much to drink but a custodial sentence would mean the brothers would probably lose more than they deserved.

Judge Nash said one aspect which influenced his sentencing was that at a previous hearing, the victim had said he recognised a prison sentence was inevitable, but he didn’t want them jailed.