Criminal brothers who fired ball bearings at a scared taxi driver appeared in court.

Dillon Alan Cooper, 21, and Thomas Edward Cooper, 21, both of Burnt House Lane, Bransgore, caused extensive damage to a taxi after firing ball bearings at it on February 28, 2023.

The driver was also put in fear of violence during the incident, which happened after 11am in Burley Road, Bransgore.

Both brothers were ordered to pay £650 each (£1,300 in total) in compensation to the victim.

Dillon Cooper also pleading guilty to stealing thousands of pounds worth of camping equipment and tools from a vehicle in Emery Down shortly before 4pm on June 25, 2023.

The incident in Bolderwood Road involved the theft of £3,500 worth of items.

He was ordered to pay £2,746.62 in compensation to the victim.

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The pair, who previously pleaded guilty, were also slapped with an 18-month community order each after appearing at Southampton Magistrates’ Court on September 10.

Thomas Cooper will be required to complete a maximum of 15 rehabilitation activity days, as well as 150 hours of unpaid work.

He was also sentenced two common assaults of a police officer and police sergeant on Burnt House Lane on January 26, 2023.

Dillon Cooper will be required to complete a maximum of 20 rehabilitation activity days and 270 hours of unpaid work.

Speaking after the sentencing, PC Katherine Gillingham, said: “I am pleased for the victims in these cases with the positive outcome at court.

The Cooper brothers will now face the consequences of their actions and will have to compensate those who they have committed crimes against.

“Behaviour and criminality such as theirs will never be tolerated and we will always work tirelessly to ensure offenders are held to account for their offending.

“This should serve as a reminder to other offenders out there that we will always seek to bring you to justice.

“You will not be allowed to simply get away with stealing, causing damage, putting innocent members of the public in fear of their safety and assaulting police officers in the execution of their duties.”