Teenagers who attacked and left one of them brain damaged have had their sentences reduced.

Christopher Docherty, who had gone to the other man's aid, was so severely kicked he suffered permanent brain damage.

Danny Stephen Osbourne and Bradley Hughes were sentenced to seven years at a young offenders' institution for causing grievous bodily harm with intent in April. They were both 18 when sentenced at Lewes Crown Court.

However, judges sitting at London's Court of Appeal yesterday cut each teenager's term by a year.

Lord Justice Mance said the trial judge had made no reference to their "considerable youth" in his sentencing remarks.

Osbourne, of Stonery Road, Portslade, and Hughes, of Northdown Road, Newhaven, had been out drinking in Brighton in September last year when in the early hours they encountered Graham Barren walking alone.

Lord Justice Mance told how the pair had pushed Mr Barren but then returned to finish him off. Mr Docherty went to help.

The brutal attack was recorded by a CCTV camera as the pair kicked and punched the two to the ground.

Mr Barren suffered lesser injuries than Mr Docherty but still had mild brain damage and concussive syndrome.