TWO brothers who joined their sister in a sustained and drink-fuelled bout of shocking street violence after a birthday party have been jailed for a total of 19 years.

Martin Woodhead, 32, and his brother David, 31, both admitted causing their victim grievous bodily harm with intent and a second charge of attempting to intentionally cause another man grievous bodily harm.

The older brother, from Chatsworth Square, Carlisle, was jailed for ten years.

David Woohead, of Parkside, Belah, got a nine year jail term.

Their sister Samanatha Woodhead, 30, also of Parkside, Belah, admitted two counts of assault causing actual bodily harm.

She was jailed for six months.

At Carlisle Crown Court, prosecutor Gerard Rogerson outlined how the violence - witnessed by small children who were at the party in the Conservative Club in the city's Spencer Street - came after a 30th birthday party.

It was meant to be a joint celebration for Samantha Woodhead and her partner Andrew Douglas, the court heard.

But Samantha Woodhead was nursing feelings of resentment against her mother-in-law Jacquline Deary, said Mr Rogerson, because the older woman had accidentally left her name off the party invitation list.

The party, on August 11, went well but at around midnight an argument broke out between Samantha Woodhead and Ryan Gibbons, Mrs Deary's son, with the defendant insulting her mother-in-law.

Another man, off-duty ambulance driver Michael Dutton, tried to intervene to calm things down. As the group emerged from the club, the brothers and their sister began lashing out at their two victims - Mr Dutton and Mr Gibbons.

The CCTV footage of the violence showed all three attacking their victims, at times punching and kicking them.

A young child is seen in the video footage looking visibly distressed. Samantha Woodhead at one point dragged Mrs Deary to the ground by her hair, while other footage shows David Woodhead repeatedly punching Ryan Gibbons as he lay on the ground.

Michael Dutton was left with a fracture to his eye socket; and a broken arm, injuries so serious that he had been unable thus far to return to work, said Mr Rogerson.

Ryan Gibbons has found it hard to sleep since being attacked, and suffered from recurring nightmares. Greg Hoare, for Martin Woodhead, said his client winced with embarrassment when he watched the CCTV of the attack.

"He's appalled by his own behaviour," said the barrister.

Mark Shepherd, for David Woodhead, said the defendant felt disgusted by what he had done that day.

"If he could turn the clock back he would," the lawyer told the court.

Wayne Jackson, for Samantha Woodhead, said the time she had spent in jail on remand was the worst experience of her life.

"She's acutely embarrassed and ashamed," he said.

Passing sentence, The Honourable Mr Justice Mark Turner said:

"Anyone who saw the CCTV footage of what went on that night with these offences can not fail but to be shocked. It's no exaggeration to say that this was a prolonged display of unrestrained violence.

"The victims of these offences did nothing to provoke the attacks, and during the course of it they offered no resistance."

After the trio were jailed, Detective Constable Jessica Myers, the North Cumbria CID officer who investigated the attacks, paid tribute to the courage of the victims.

She said: “This incident was particularly violent with the two male offenders, fuelled by alcohol, looking to seriously injure the two men they attacked and Samantha Woodhead willingly involving herself in the violence and assaulting a woman who had gone to help the victims.

“They did so without any provocation and none of the victims were able to defend themselves during the sustained attack.

“It is only by fortune that the injuries suffered were not more serious. The kick to the head of the unconscious male victim could have been fatal.

“All three siblings provided no comment during interviews with the police and despite pleading guilty to offences, I believe they hold little remorse for their actions that night.

“The CCTV shows the level of violence the Woodheads used and what is deeply disturbing that they acted this way whilst children were present.

“They will all now serve considerable time in prison and it is our hope that this sentencing sends a clear message that violent behaviour fuelled by alcohol will not be tolerated in Cumbria.”

Mr Rogerson added: "The three siblings were involved in an extremely violent incident at a family gathering...

“As they carried out unprovoked attacks on their two victims, they showed utter disregard for everyone else who was present, including young children who looked on in horror.

“We worked closely with the police to build a strong case of evidence against them, which included clear CCTV, leaving them with no other option but to plead guilty to the charges they faced.”