A FORMER Emmerdale star gave a character reference for a violent thug in court after he beat up a couple in a savage street attack, The Sun can reveal.
TV actress Kelli Hollis, who also appeared in Shameless, wrote a reference for Lee Brimble, 36, after he admitted carrying out a senseless attack on a mum of three and her boyfriend.
The reference was read by a judge at Leeds Crown Court before Brimble was jailed for 32 months last Friday. Actor Brimble punched Kelly Brawley and Mark Hughes into the ground as their terrified children watched in horror outside his home in Halton Moor, Leeds, West Yorkshire, in June 2019.
Kelly is scarred for life after suffering a shattered eye socket, needing three operations and requiring six plates, while Mark was knocked out cold in the attack and suffered facial injuries.
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