Edlington torture boys' appeal thrown out

TWO brothers who tortured two young boys in a sickening attack which shocked the country have lost a legal challenge on their sentences.

They were not present at the Court of Appeal hearing in London on Wednesday, when a panel of top judges threw out the application.

The brothers, aged ten and 11 at the time of the violent assault in Edlington last year, were given indefinite sentences earlier this year, when they were told they would serve at least five years.

Lord Chief Justice, Lord Judge, sitting with Mr Justice David Clarke and Mr Justice Lloyd Jones, said there was no possible grounds for criticising the outcome of the original case.

A “toxic” home life was said to be an influencing factor on the young defendants when the case reached Sheffield Crown Court.

The brothers, who cannot be named, admitted grievous bodily harm with intent, stealing from their victims and two counts of intentionally causing a child to engage in sexual activity.

Both were placed on the sex offenders’ register for three-and-a-half years.