Lanarkshire war hero left with bleed on brain after horrific Remembrance Day assault slams attackers' sentences

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A war hero who was left with a bleed on the brain has branded the justice system "totally broken" after the thugs who battered him while he lay helpless on the ground walked free from court.Brian Kelly, himself an army veteran, and Derek Gallacher carried out a "vicious" assault on former Royal Marine Christopher Smith on Remembrance Sunday in East Kilbride.The victim's shocking injuries included bleeding on the brain - for which he spent weeks in a hospital neurology unit - and a broken nose, as well as cuts and bruising.The Lanarkshire Live app is available to download now.

Get all the news from your area – as well as features, entertainment, sport and the latest on Lanarkshire’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic – straight to your fingertips, 24/7.The free download features the latest breaking news and exclusive stories, and allows you to customise your page to the sections that matter most to you.Head to the App Store and never miss a beat in Lanarkshire - iOS - Android Mr Smith, who served in Northern Ireland during the Troubles, previously told how he thought he was going to die in the unprovoked attack.Kelly and Gallacher walked free from Hamilton Sheriff Court today (Monday) as Sheriff John Speir agreed "with some hesitation" not to send them to prison.They were given community-based sentences instead.Speaking to Lanarkshire Live, Mr Smith said: "The legal and justice system is totally broken - there are no other words for it."I feel badly let down as I was genuinely hoping a custodial sentence would be imposed."During the attack itself I didn’t know what to do.

I couldn’t fathom what was happening – on Remembrance Day of all days."They were kicking and punching me on the face, head, body – everywhere.