Men jailed over deafblind man Chelmsford train track attack Published duration 23 October 2014

media caption The man was thrown on to the tracks and punched as he tried to get back on to the platform

Two men have been sent to prison for throwing a deafblind man and his brother on to railway tracks.

The 31-year-old, from Ipswich, was at Chelmsford station with his brother, when they were attacked on 20 February.

Daniel Webster, 23, admitted causing grievous bodily harm and actual bodily harm against both men and was jailed for 22 months.

Niall Martin, 24, who pleaded guilty to actual bodily harm against one of the brothers, was given nine months.

'Savage disregard'

Chelmsford Crown Court saw CCTV footage of the attack, which showed Webster throwing the deafblind man's brother, 28, on to the tracks and attacking him as he tried to climb to safety.

The court also watched footage of Webster, of Colchester Road, Coggeshall, and Martin, of Speedwell Road, Colchester, attacking him on the platform.

image caption Daniel Webster and Niall Martin admitted assaulting the deafblind man and his brother

Webster then went on to throw the deafblind man on to the tracks and punched him in the face, as he tried to get back up.

Both men showed a "savage disregard for their victims", Det Con Alan Reed from British Transport Police said.

"This is one of the most appalling incidents I have investigated.

"It is no exaggeration to say the brothers could have been killed after being thrown on to the tracks.

"I hope the sentence will provide them with some sense of closure, although, in truth, the impact this has had on both of them is likely to remain with them for the rest of their lives."