Worthing teen who attacked dad could be released this month

Alan Willson, 47, was left with catastrophic brain injuries after being punched and battered with a log by a gang of boys on Easter Sunday last year.

He had stepped in after they bullied a child.

The vicious assault in Longcroft Park in Worthing left him in hospital for three months, with his family told the care worker might not survive.

His brain injuries were so severe that he is still unable to talk, write or “point to a picture card” more than a year after the attack.

Brothers George, 14, and Archie Tilley, 16, were jailed for 12 years, while 18-year-old accomplice Harry Furlong was sent to prison for 20 months.

George, left, and Archie Tilley were jailed for 12 years after the vicious assault

However, Alan’s wife Annie found out in a call from the Probation Service that Furlong could be released on license at the end of this month.

Furlong, who was found guilty of grievous bodily harm without intent, was not classified as a dangerous offender and it was decided he would serve half his 20-month sentence, minus time spent on remand since being jailed in June, in custody and half in the community on license.

Annie said that she was asked by the Probation Service what added conditions she wanted to have included on the terms of Furlong’s release.

She said: “We were not happy with 20 months in the first place, but the justice system takes off what they have to take off the minute he sets foot inside a prison.

“Had I known that, I would have appealed. As a family that has never been in trouble with the law you don’t know how to navigate around these circumstances.”

Annie said the lack of clarity surrounding Furlong’s release has worsened her and the family’s ordeal and that her faith in the justice system is “shot to pieces”.

Harry Furlong was given a 20-month sentence earlier this year

She said: “Life is very hard. I haven’t really spoken to my husband for over a year. I miss it - I miss it a lot.

“Life on a daily basis is very difficult for him. He knows what he wants to say but he just can’t say it. When he’s in pain, we don’t know he’s in pain.

“There’s nothing I can do about it. I’ve got to crack on with life to support Alan and keep his spirits up.”

George and Archie Tilley were aged just 13 and 14 at the time of the attack and were given extended 12-year sentences to include a maximum of nine years in custody and three years on license after being found guilty of GBH with intent.

While Annie said she was “happy with that”, she said the “least” she wanted for Furlong was to serve his one year on license and said: “He shouldn’t be out until January.”

• READ MORE: Care worker's family 'will continue to go through hell forever' following frenzied attack

The Ministry of Justice said Furlong served 112 days on remand before he was sentenced, with a spokesman saying it was “only a possibility” he would be granted Home Detention Curfew and would instead stay in prison until the halfway point of his sentence.

He said: “This was a horrific crime and our sympathies remain with Mr Willson and his family.

“Sentencing is a matter for independent judges and no decision has been made about whether Harry Furlong will be released on Home Detention Curfew.

“Those who are face strict conditions which if broken can see them recalled to prison.”

Prisoners serving standard determinate sentences of at least 12 weeks but less than four years can be considered for release before their automatic release date under the scheme.

Offenders are then subject to strict license conditions, including a mandatory electronically monitored curfew of at least nine hours a day.

The Ministry of Justice also said that the prison governor can add additional conditions to the license “where appropriate”.