Torture boys' sentences to be reviewed

The sentences handed down to two brothers who sadistically tortured two young boys are to be reviewed, it has emerged.

They subjected the two boys, aged 11 and nine, to a prolonged and vicious assault in Edlington, South Yorkshire, in April last year.

The brothers, aged 11 and 12, were each given indeterminate sentences with minimum terms of five years at Sheffield Crown Court on Friday.

But today it was announced that Attorney General, Baroness Scotland would re-examine the sentences.

If Lady Scotland decides the sentences were too soft, she will refer them to the Court of Appeal and ask the judges to consider upping the terms handed down.

They will look again at the case and can decide to change the terms or leave them as they are.

The Attorney General is required to look at cases if asked to do so by a member of the public.

A spokesman for the Attorney General's office said: "We have called for the papers in the case following a request that the Attorney General calls it in."