Teenage brothers Connor (17) and Brandon Doran (16) and their friend 17-year-old Simon Evans were found guilty of the vicious 20-minute attack on 53-year-old Kevin Bennett, a homeless man sleeping behind a Liverpool supermarket. Bennett, who’d spent the evening in a local pub, staggered from the alley before collapsing and later died from infection six days after the assault.
This horrific crime wasn’t an isolated family tragedy. While Connor and Brandon faced questioning, their eldest brother Ryan Doran was already preparing for trial on an unrelated murder charge, and another brother, Jordan, was convicted for contempt of court. The siblings’ mother, Linda Doran, was jailed for lying to police with a false alibi, further exposing a pattern of violence and obstruction.
On the night of August 17, 2012, witnesses say Connor egged Evans on while Brandon kept watch; Evans struck Bennett repeatedly. Despite his injuries, Bennett managed to reach the store entrance before collapsing, only to succumb later in hospital. The court heard how a man downed by a cruel, unprovoked attack had fought bravely to survive.
The verdict has reignited debate over youth violence, family influence, and the vulnerability of homeless individuals. Kevin Bennett’s killing serves as a stark reminder of the need for tougher interventions in at-risk families and greater protection for society’s most defenseless.
