Teenagers Jailed for Laughing as They Beat Homeless Man to Death

Three teenagers were convicted of murdering a homeless man in a brutal street attack during which they reportedly laughed as they fled the scene. Connor Doran, 17, his younger brother Brandon, 14, and their friend Simon Evans, also 14, assaulted 53-year-old Kevin Bennett as he slept outside an Iceland supermarket in Liverpool.

Connor, said to be the instigator, provoked Simon by challenging him: “I bet you haven’t got it in you to do him in.” Simon later admitted: “I started kicking him, I booted him and now he’s dead.” Brandon acted as a lookout during the attack.

Though all three denied the charges, they were found guilty of murder in 2013 after a month-long trial at Liverpool Crown Court. Connor received a minimum sentence of 12 years, Simon eight years, and Brandon six. Judge Clement Goldstone KC, the Recorder of Liverpool, called it a "desperately sad reflection on this society" that the boys carried out such a violent act simply for the sake of it.

Kevin Bennett died in hospital six days later from multiple organ failure caused by blood poisoning from an infection. The boys had inflicted devastating injuries, including a fractured eye socket, broken ribs, and a collapsed lung.

Kevin, known to be vulnerable and a heavy drinker, had spent the evening drinking in a pub and was attempting to sleep behind the supermarket when he was attacked. He was discovered around 7am the next morning by store employees.

Prosecutor Alan Conrad KC told the court that Mr Bennett had done nothing to provoke the violence and noted the age and physical advantage of the attackers.

The Doran brothers’ mother, 42-year-old Linda Doran, was sentenced to 30 months in prison for perverting the course of justice after providing false alibis for her sons. Judge Goldstone told her: “You already have one son serving a life sentence for murder. Few parents have to endure that kind of personal agony, though few have failed so completely in their parental responsibilities as you have.”

Her eldest son, Ryan Doran, 23, had previously been jailed for life in 2012 for killing a stranger with a bottle during an unprovoked attack at a takeaway.