Teenager updates Facebook status to 'full-time killer' after disabled man he attacked dies from brain haemorrhage

A VIOLENT teenager who updated his Facebook status to 'full-time killer' after a disabled man he attacked dies of a brain haemorrhage has been spared jail.

Scott Hall, 28, was punched in the face by the teen and his accomplice, also 15, then kicked as he lay unconscious on the pavement.

Mr Hall died 11 days after the unprovoked attack following a brain haemorrhage.

The brutal attack could not be linked directly to the bleed in the brain which killed Mr Hall, who suffered from a rare brain disorder which affected his balance.

So despite the boy's sick boast about being a killer, he was charged with assault causing actual bodily harm.

Scott's family spoke of their devastation at his death as both teen attackers walked free with community sentences.

Known as a referral orders, they are handed to juveniles who admit their crimes.

The paid were also ordered to pay £1,000 compensation, which Mr Hall's family pledged to gie to the charities he supported.

Magistrates heard Mr Hall spent the final days of his life in a state of terror after being punched to the ground and kicked by the two teenagers.

Nine days after he was assaulted in Newton Hall, Durham, last July, he suffered a bleed to the brain and died two days later.

An inquest found no evidence to link Mr Hall's brain haemorrhage directly to the assault and the Crown Prosecution Service decided it could not charge the youths, now aged 16, with unlawfully killing him.

The duo, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, initially denied a charge of assault causing actual bodily harm but pleaded guilty to the offence at Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court.

Mr Hall’s devastated mother, Carol, and sister, Zoe, attended the hearing yesterday/on Wednesday.

Chris Atkinson, prosecuting, said Mr Hall, who had physical and learning disabilities, had been trying to walk away from a row with the boys when he was punched to the ground near Newton Hall Library shortly after 10pm on Thursday, July 24.

Mr Atkinson said: “He was punched in the face, to the left hand side of his jaw, by one of the defendants.

“That knocked him to the ground and the witnesses describe both young men kicking him while he was on the ground to the back and shoulder area.”

Mr Atkinson said several witnesses ran to Mr Hall’s aid and reported him being unconscious for a couple of minutes before paramedics arrived.

“Mr Hall had Rasmussen’s Syndrome, which affected his balance, speech and the way he walked,” said Mr Atkinson. “His disability must have been apparent to his attackers.”

Mr Atkinson also highlighted how one of the youths had changed his Facebook status to “full time killer” after Mr Hall’s death.

Addressing the court, Miss Hall, the victim’s sister, described her brother, from Framwellgate Moor, Durham, as her best friend.

“Scott was terrified on the days between the assault and his death,” she said.

“He was constantly upset and couldn’t understand why someone would want to hurt him.

“The defendants’ actions resulted in him being frightened for the last week of his life.

“I don’t think we will ever get over what has happened.”

Both youths, who had no previous convictions at the time of the assault, and their parents apologised to Mrs and Miss Hall.

Their solicitors, Neil Bennett and Warren Ridley, described the incident as out of character for their clients.

Mr Bennett, representing the youth who threw the punch, said: “It was a very regrettable incident. He accepts his part in it and is sorry for it.”

Speaking for the other teenager, Warren Ridley said: “He regrets his actions. It’s something he cannot explain.

“He was involved in a verbal altercation and reacted in totally the wrong way.”

District Judge Martin Walker sentenced both to 12 month referral orders, with 'intense' rehabilitation and community service requirements.

Speaking outside of court Miss Hall, 25, thanked Durham Police for the way they handled the investigation and paid tribute to her beloved brother.

“Scott was my best friend, a practical joker who liked to help people,” she said. “He often helped old people carry their shopping home and did things for charity.”

Commenting on the sentence, Mrs Hall said: “It’s not what we wanted.”

The decision by the CPS not to prosecute the youths over Mr Hall's death was made in January.

Mrs Hall, 56, said then: “It’s not right. The punishment should fit the crime.”