Men jailed over pushing a deaf and blind man onto train tracks

 
Daniel Webster, left, has been jailed for 22 months after attacking a blind and deaf man, along with his brother. Niall Martin, right, was jailed for 9 months for his part in the assault

A pair of thugs who pushed a blind and deaf man and his brother on to train tracks in a 'horrifying assault' at a busy station have both been jailed.

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

A row broke out, and Webster launched his attack on the victim, who was described in court as 'profoundly deaf' and is registered blind.

Daniel Webster, 23, and Niall Martin, 24 pushed the 31-year-old, off the platform at Chelmsford station in Essex, then threw his brother Joseph down after him as he tried to intervene.

As the pair scramble back to the platform edge and attempt to climb back to safety, Martin and Webster punch them both in the head, leaving them stranded.

Network rail staff were forced to put a block on all trains coming through the station over fears that the pair could have been killed.

Martin admitted ABH on the brother and was given a nine-month sentence - but he has been freed already after he spent five months in custody, making him eligible for parole.

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.

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."