TWO cousins who left a man in a coma after attacking him at a train station have been sentenced to a total of 17 years in jail.

Daniel Traille, of Temple Close, Thamesmead, and Daryl Traille, of Hatcham Park Road, New Cross, both aged 20, were sentenced at Wood Green Crown Court yesterday (July 14) after they were found guilty of causing GBH with intent.

Lee Christopher, of New Cross, was attacked on July 24 last year following an altercation on a crowded 11.40pm train from Charing Cross to Dartford.

Detective Constable Lee Smith, investigating officer from British Transport Police, said: “An altercation took place on the train between the Traille cousins and the victim, which then escalated into a two-on-one attack on him on the platform.

“The pair continued to viciously punch and kick him even while he lay on the ground.”

Mr Christopher, who had been due to leave the country to go and live in Switzerland, was left in a month-long coma and continues to require extensive and ongoing medical care.

Following appeals from police, witnesses came forward and the Trailles eventually handed themselves in.

Sentencing the two cousins to eight-and-a-half years in prison each, Judge Francis Sheridan said: “The consequences of your actions were horrendous, yet you tried to justify them.

“It is only thanks to the medical teams that cared for Mr Christopher that this is not a murder trial.

“People are entitled to travel on public transport, whatever time of the day it is, without fear and without threat.”