Rehab and compensation orders for brothers Thomas and Dillon Cooper who fired ball bearings at taxi in Bransgore
Two Bransgore brothers who fired ball bearings at a taxi and threatened its driver must undergo rehabilitation and pay hundreds in compensation.
Dillon and Thomas Cooper, both 21 and of Burnt House Lane, were convicted having previously pleaded guilty to criminal damage and public order offences.
Southampton Magistrates’ Court heard the taxi and its driver were attacked on Burley Road in the village on 28th February 2023.
As well as the vehicle sustaining extensive damage in the incident, which happened shortly after 11am, its driver was put in fear of violence.
Each brother was handed an 18-month community order, with Thomas required to complete a maximum of 15 rehab activity days and 150 hours of unpaid community work.
He also received this sentence for two common assaults of a police officer and police sergeant on Burnt House Lane on 26th January 2023.
Dillon Cooper is required to complete a maximum of 20 rehab activity days and 270 hours of unpaid community work.
Both brothers must also pay £650 each (totalling £1,300) in compensation to the victim.
Dillon Cooper was additionally sentenced after pleading guilty to stealing £3,500 of camping equipment and tools from a vehicle.
The court was told this theft took place on Bolderwod Road in Emery Down shortly before 4pm on 25th June 2023.
He was ordered to pay £2,746 in compensation to the victim.
Welcoming the brothers’ sentencings, PC Katherine Gillingham said: “I am pleased for the victims in these cases with the positive outcome at court.
“The Cooper brothers will now face the consequences of their actions and will have to compensate those who they have committed crimes against.
“Behaviour and criminality such as theirs will never be tolerated and we will always work tirelessly to ensure offenders are held to account for their offending.”
PC Gillingham continued: “This should serve as a reminder to other offenders out there that we will always seek to bring you to justice.
“You will not be allowed to simply get away with stealing, causing damage, putting innocent members of the public in fear of their safety and assaulting police officers in the execution of their duties.”