The court heard a devastating victim impact statement from Alan Wilson’s wife (Picture: Eddie Mitchell)
Two teenage brothers who beat their father so badly he was left with life-changing injuries have been named by a judge.
Archie and George Tilley were jailed for 12 years for the sustained, vicious and frenzied attack on former carer Alan Wilson, 47, on 4 April 2021.
While Harry Furlong, 18, from Horsham was jailed for 20 months.
Alan’s life changed forever when he rushed to help an 11-year-old boy who was being bullied by a group of teenagers in Longcroft Park in Worthing.
But the boys turned on Allen, beating him with a 3-foot log, shattering his skull and leaving him incapacitated on the ground.
George Tilley was 13 and his brother Archie was 14 when the attack happened, which was described by a judge as “beyond the comprehension of most people”.
In a witness statement Annie Wilson, Alan’s wife, told the court the devastating attack had “devastated” and “broken her family beyond repair”.
“I’ll never forget turning up in that park and seeing what you did to my Alan,” Annie told the court.
Archie Tilley (left) and George Tilley are shown (Photo: Eddie Mitchell)
“You took away a husband, a father, a grandfather, a brother, a cousin and an uncle.
“Alan was the gentlest person who would help anyone in a heartbeat, no questions asked.
“You attacked him as a group and didn’t stop until he was on the floor bleeding and unconscious.”
Annie told the court that neither Alan’s life nor her family’s would ever be the same.
“He has no mental capacity, no sight in his left eye and has a massive brain injury from which he will never fully recover.
Alan Wilson suffered life-changing injuries in the attack in April 2021 (Image: Sussex Police/SWNS)
“He has hearing problems, dental problems, he can’t go to the toilet by himself or take care of his personal hygiene.
“He’s not the same person.” He’s trapped in this strange body he doesn’t understand.
“People say at least he’s alive, and as my anger bubbles up from the bottom of my stomach, I have to answer, that’s not life!”
“On April 4, 2021, you took my soulmate!
“You plunged our lives into darkness and changed our family dynamic forever. You took a father, a brother, an uncle, a cousin and a grandfather.
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George Tilley, who will turn 15 next week, and his brother Archie, now 16, have been told they pose a significant danger to society.
Their ages would normally allow them to remain anonymous, but the Honorable Judge Christine Henson said it was just lucky that Allen was not killed in the attack.
“Removing the restriction will have little or no impact on the rehabilitation process.
“I am satisfied that it is now in the interests of justice to remove the restriction,” said HHJ Henson.
The brothers showed no emotion when they were sentenced to nine years in prison.
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A three-year extended license was added by the judge after an assessment of their dangerousness.
The judge rejected their claims of self-defense.
“None of you sustained any significant injuries following this brutal attack.
“It was a group activity initiated by Archie, which George enthusiastically joined.
“Harry Furlong, your part was smaller.
“Yet you got involved,” the judge told them.
Tilley will be eligible to apply for parole after serving eight years, while Furlong will serve at least half of his 20-month sentence in custody.
Archie Tilley had two previous convictions for three offences, while George had five convictions for 18 offences.
He was only ten at the time of his first recorded offence. All offenses are violent including ABH and battery.
Furlong was convicted of grievous bodily harm by a majority of 11 to one.
George and Archie Tilley were found guilty of grievous bodily harm with intent by a unanimous jury at Lewis Crown Court in Hove.
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