THREE brothers from Aspatria attacked a neighbour after a night of socialising turned violent.

Carlisle Crown Court heard how the trio followed the man into his home after violence first erupted at their home in Aspatria, which left the victim with broken front teeth on January 9 last year.

After hearing about how the three men had pursued the man into his home and then attacked him, Judge Nicholas Barker told 23-year-old Patrick Noutch and his siblings Luke, 20, and Daniel, 21: "Far from acting like a band of brothers, you were more like a gang of thugs."

The brothers each admitted assault causing actual bodily harm.

Helena Williams, prosecuting, said the victim was a next-door neighbour of the three defendants, who all live at North View, Aspatria.

On the evening of January 8, the man was visiting the Noutch household with his father and sister. The group were drinking and socialising.

At some point, there was an altercation, during which the victim admitted punching Patrick Noutch, said Miss Williams. Though what happened was unclear, the man's front teeth were damaged.

He then returned to his house.

But the three defendants followed him, going into the man's home through the back door and attacking him, punching and kicking him, though he could not say who did what.

During the violence, said Miss Williams, it was alleged that Luke Noutch bit the man's thumb, breaking the skin and leaving teeth marks.

Daniel Noutch later maintained that he acted in self-defence.

Jeff Smith, for Patrick Noutch, said the prosecution accepted that the self-employed hairdresser had gone with his brothers to the victim's home but he had not perpetrated any of the violence.

Ben Berkson, for Daniel Noutch, said a court restraining order to protect the neighbour could make matters worse.

Kim Whittlestone, for Luke Noutch, said that the issue with the neighbour had calmed down and the parties had now moved on. In the past, her client had been "picked on relentlessly", said the barrister and this led to his protective older siblings taking action.

Though Luke Noutch admitted losing his temper, his behaviour that night was out of character, added Miss Whittlestone.

Judge Barker said the victim was subjected to an "unpleasant and sustained assault" which involved him being beaten and kicked while on the ground.

But the judge also noted the previous good character of the three defendants. "I'm pleased matters seem to have calmed down," added the judge, imposing a one-year community order for all three defendants.

For Patrick and Daniel Noutch, this includes a two-month curfew. All three defendants must pay the victim compensation - £250 in the cases of Daniel and Patrick Noutch and £150 in the case of Luke Noutch.

The judge also imposed a one-year restraining order banning any contact with the victim.

"You are young men and I think you will have learned your lesson," added the judge.