YOBS who kicked a defenceless man during a terrifying mob attack in Knutsford last summer walked free from court on Thursday.

Judge Stephen Clarke told Clive and Emlyn Tomlinson that he could not send them to prison because the ringleader Lee Nixon had not been jailed at a previous hearing.

But he warned: "One can only hope that you have learned your lesson or prison awaits you." As the brothers left court with community punishment orders - and a joint £400 bill for compensation - they thanked their defence barrister Patrick Thompson.

Earlier, though, the Judge had compared the two brothers, Nixon, Gary McCarthy and Bradley Herring to a pack of animals for attacking Colin Lawn.

"It the attack must have been horribly terrifying and was yet another example of the yob mentality that seems to be part of life in this day and age," he said.

"It is impossible to understand the mentality of those who derive satisfaction from this type of behaviour."

Mr Lawn and Daniel Egerton had approached the men near Hayfields to ask them to return a football that belonged to Mr Egerton's 12-year-old son.

But the gang became abusive and liquid was squirted in Mr Lawn's face, which temporarily blinded him.

Both men were then chased along the street as the gang hurled stones and bricks, which narrowly missed a mother and child.

Mr Lawn was then kicked to the ground.

"No one stood by," said Caroline Harris, prosecutingMr Egerton was attacked too as he went to his friend's aid.

Clive Tomlinson, 20, of Northfields, initially denied being involved in the lunchtime beating on Saturday June 12, swearing on his baby's life.

Emlyn, 18, also denied any involvement.

On Thursday, though, the two brothers, who work as labourers for Tatton Builders, admitted affray. In addition to the punishment meted out by Chester Crown Court, each was also ordered to pay £250 towards the prosecution costs.

The three other defendants were sentenced in October.

Bradley Herring, 19, of Manor Park South, and Gary McCarthy, 19, of Churchfields, were sent to a young offenders' institution for six months.

And Lee Nixon, 18, of Hayfields, was given 12 months' community rehabilitation and 50 hours' community punishment.