There were explosive outbursts outside York Crown Court after a judge allowed brothers from one of two feuding York families to walk free.

Just moments earlier Recorder Stephen Williamson QC had warned both sides to behave after he sentenced the men for a "terrifying" drink-fuelled Boxing Day attack on two women.

He said: "I don't want any bother in this building or we shall hear about it and you can come back tomorrow."

Members of the Wharton family, relatives of York boxing champ Henry Wharton, reacted angrily when Terence and Robert Gibb-Kirk were given community service orders instead of jail.

The court heard how last year Terence Gibb-Kirk, 38, burst into 25-year-old Julie Wharton's home in St Benedict's Road, South Bank, followed by his brother Robert Gibb-Kirk, 34, and attacked her and her friend, Emma Bennison, 19, after an earlier dispute in a pub.

Nicholas Frith, prosecuting, said the frightened victims hid in an upstairs bedroom and dialled 999 when they saw the men heading for the house and heard banging on the front door.

Terence Gibb-Kirk burst into the bedroom and punched Miss Wharton repeatedly before punching Miss Bennison. The court heard that Robert then picked up a shirt, got out a lighter and told the victims, "I'm off to set your house on fire and you two are going to be in it."

Miss Wharton suffered a bruised eye and arm and an injured knee and Miss Bennison a injured knee and head.

Mr Frith said damage estimated at £2,000 was also caused in the house.

The brothers had admitted burglary, affray and two counts of assault, all in relation to the incident, although it was accepted that Robert Gibb-Kirk had not physically attacked the women.

Terence, of St Benedict's Road, was given 180 hours community service, and ordered to pay £200 compensation to Miss Wharton, and Robert, of Russell Street, was given 150 hours community service and ordered to pay £250 compensation.

Each was ordered to pay £200 prosecution costs.

William Tyler, mitigating for Terence Gibb-Kirk, said: "This was a shameful night and he accepts that he behaved atrociously."

He said the background to the attack was a five-year feud where threats had been made against his family.

He said Terence Gibb-Kirk, a driver with York Station Taxis, had gone to Miss Wharton's home after receiving a threatening call from there that evening.

Mr Tyler said: "A combination of the alcohol he consumed, this individual threat and five years of torment was enough to make him lose his self restraint.

"He has said he is ashamed of himself for 'cracking a lass'."

Simon Haring, mitigating for Robert Gibb-Kirk, said his client, who managed a firm in Selby, could not explain his behaviour.

In sentencing, Mr Williamson said: "I am satisfied that you qualify for custody by your conduct, but I am not satisfied that is the appropriate disposal."

Outside the court, Miss Wharton's father Edward and his son Edward, boyfriend of Miss Bennison, showed their anger at the sentence.

Mr Wharton Senior said: "That is not justice. That is no sentence for what they did."

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