Teens Sentenced For Murder of Homeless Man

Three teenagers who kicked and punched a homeless man to death in Liverpool for a dare have been sentenced.

Liverpool Crown Court heard Kevin Bennett, 53, was attacked as he slept rough outside a supermarket in August.

He was taken to hospital with serious injuries and died six days later.

Brothers Connor and Brandon Doran, aged 17 and 14, and Simon Evans, 14, were told they would remain in custody until the Home Secretary approved their release.

Passing sentence, Judge Clement Goldstone QC, the Recorder of Liverpool, said: "I think it is a desperately sad reflection on this society that each of you was party to serious violence purely for the sake of it."

He added the tariffs given were, "to all intent and purpose, life sentences".

The three boys, who all denied murder, were found guilty in February following a four-week trial.

'I booted him'
Earlier in the trial the jury was told Connor Doran had goaded Evans by saying: "I bet you haven't got it in you to do him in."

Evans later told his friend: "I started kicking him, I booted him and now he's dead."

Brandon Doran stood look-out as the attack took place, the prosecution said.

I don't blame the kids. Its the parents I blame for this... The children are brought up by their parents and should be taught better...

Absolutely disgusting and a sad reflection on the growing trends of violence within our young adults. I think it's not so surprising when you look at the Doran's family history of crime though, so it goes to demonstrate a lack of good parenting.

It's so sad that people act like this. It begs the question of why?

Some people have nothing to lose. But what they don't realise is that others have everything to lose.

I don't blame the kids. Its the parents I blame for this... The children are brought up by their parents and should be taught better...

That's true, but I really don't understand the mentality of someone who can see a man who is clearly vulnerable and then decide that for no reason, to kick him to death? It's indicative of a deeper problem in society, but even so it's so...I don't even know what word to use, it's horrible.

It's so sad that people act like this. It begs the question of why?

Because education directly suppresses base instinct in preference of more reasoned action. Without education we act on instinct, and our instincts are primal.

But it's of no benefit. Even if it's primal, surely you'd kill for food/in danger? Not just take on an innocent man just sitting there? Either way it's terrible and shouldn't have happened

I mean they must be in 3rd or 4rth year at school by now.

I was about to go "huh?". Then I noticed your location; in England they'd be in year 9-10.

What's the year system there? We got Primary 1-7, starting aged 5/6 and finishing aged 10/11, then enter highschool aged 11/12 and have years 1-6, usually finishing aged 17 or 18.