Other commuters intervened and helped Mr Breen up, but as  he got up, the 17 year-old punched him in the face, causing him to fall backwards and crack his head on the floor. Mr Breen sadly died in hospital the following day after suffering fatal head injuries. The attack is a reminder of the appalling state of waywardness on the streets of London by pathetic children with no sense of respect or moral standards. How they could set upon a man old enough to be their father is a shame and disgrace to society. A 17 year old killer jailed for 2 years and 9 months doesn’t seem right.

Originally charged with murder,the prosecution accepted his plea of manslaughter, which carries a much lighter sentence than murder- an offense that requires intention as a pre-requisite for a conviction.

Judge Mark Lucraft QC told the court, he took into account the boy’s age in reducing the sentence from five years and six months, as well as his manslaughter plea. However, consideration of the boy’s plea should not have been considered especially because of the evidence against him. Advice from his lawyer would have definitely played a big role in the 17 year old’s plea, he deserves no credit for his plea. The conviction looks very much like a soft touch. One very upsetting, considering the dead man’s age and the very repulsive fact that more than one teenager assaulted him.

A 15 year-old boy, also from Ilford, admitted assault occasioning actual bodily harm for his part in the initial attack and was sentenced to a referral order for 12 months.  The sentences definitely appear too light and the young ages of idiotic youths should not spare them heavy  punishment where death results from their reckless actions. Their utter stupidity has wasted the life of a man who was going about his business peacefully.

There were angry shouts of frustration and disappointment at the gallery when the judgment was made. A family friend told the eye of media.com.

” we are heartbroken at this sentence, these guys got away lightly. They have irresponsibly flushed out the life of someone we loved, and all they get is punishment with kids gloves. This is terrible, Mr Breen will turn in his grave”.

A moving statement by Mr Breen’s sister, Angela Adams read: This senseless act has caused shock waves of grief and loss throughout the family. “It all seems so wrong. We just want our brother back.” The eye of media.com send our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Mr Breen.