A BROTHER and sister avoided a prison sentence by the "skin of their teeth" for their part in a violent attack outside a Banbury kebab shop.
Aaron O'Rourke, 19, and sister Samantha, 22, were given suspended prison sentences at Oxford Crown Court today (Monday).
The pair had been involved in a fight in South Bar, Banbury, in October 2006.
After drinking in The Sound Exchange in High
Street, the pair assaulted Anton O'Sullivan in South Bar, who had spent the evening in Confessions nightclub.
The pair attacked Mr O'Sullivan outside a kebab shop and fractured his lower jaw. As a result of the attack Mr O'Sullivan has suffered paralysis to part of his face.
Aaron O'Rourke of Westminster Way, Banbury, pleaded guilty to GBH at an earlier hearing. He was given an eight-month prison sentence in a young offenders institute, suspended for 18 months. He was also ordered to complete 80 hours' unpaid work.
Samantha O'Rourke of Orchard Way, Banbury, pleaded guilty to affray and was given an eight-month prison sentence suspended for 18 months.
Both were ordered to pay £600 compensation each to Mr O'Sullivan.
Sentencing the pair, Recorder Harold Persaud said: "There is no doubt that if I were sentencing you both 14 months ago then it would have been an immediate custodial sentence.
"However, I have taken into account that you have both turned your lives around, but you have escaped a custodial sentence by the skin of your teeth."
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