Torquay brothers jailed for manslaughter

Ben and Jack Milton fatally attacked and stabbed 34-year-old Aaron Parrington

Two brothers who attacked a man in a row over a designer bag have been jailed for manslaughter.

Aaron Parrington, 34, was fatally stabbed by Jack and Ben Milton, both of Ellacombe Church Road, Torquay, on their doorstep in September last year, Exeter Crown Court heard.

A jury heard the violence stemmed from the theft of a bag which Mr Parrington believed Ben Milton was responsible for.

Ben Milton, 19, was jailed for 14 years, while Jack Milton, 20, was jailed for 15 years.

'Exceeded self-defence'

A jury found the brothers were guilty of manslaughter but not guilty of murder following a three-week trial.

They were also found guilty of having an article with a blade or point.

The court heard Mr Parrington was stabbed multiple times and was hit with a metal curtain pole.

The brothers both denied stabbing Mr Parrington and claimed to be acting in self defence when interviewed by police.

Judge Martin Picton, sitting at Bristol Crown Court on Friday, said the brothers' actions "only just fell short of what is required to show murder".

He said: "What you did carried a really high risk of death or serious injury.”

He added it was "utterly disgraceful".

Judge Picton also awarded a £1,000 High Sheriff’s award to two people who stopped to give CPR and carried on their attempts to help Mr Parrington despite Jack Milton’s threats.

Mr Parrington's mum Kathy says they think of their son every day

In a personal statement read to the court, Mr Parrington's mum Kathy said: "We think of Aaron almost every moment of every day, but the mornings are the worst because you wake up, and for a split second, everything is OK.

"Then reality kicks in, it hits you and it's like Aaron has died all over again."

She also thanked friends and family for their continued support.

Det Insp Ilona Rosson, the senior investigating officer, said the brothers' violence "exceeded self-defence".

"Throughout this case they have continued to blame each other, taking no responsibility for their actions, and arrogantly denying their roles," she said.

"This is sadly another example of the devastating damage that using a knife can cause and that no good can come from it."