A LOTTERY winner and his brothers knocked a businessman unconscious during a “sickening attack” in which a baseball bat was used on their victim.

Millionaire Jacob Hodge, his twin Joshua Hodge, and their elder brother Jamie Hodge, went “mob-handed” and kicked and punched car wash owner Bahroz Saeed.

The three brothers from Caldicot were spared going straight to jail partly because of the “substantial” delay in the case coming to court.

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Judge Daniel Williams slammed Gwent Police’s investigation of the 2018 assault as “inept”.

Paul Hewitt, prosecuting, said violence flared because Joshua felt Mr Saeed was responsible for causing damage to his car.

Newport Crown Court heard that Joshua allegedly used a racial slur against the victim and told him, “Go back to your own country”, although he was never charged with any racially-aggravated offence.

Mr Saeed was confronted by the trio at his business in Caldicot and the gang set upon him.

Mr Hewitt said: “It was a group attack and a weapon was used.

“It was in the middle of the day and people were present. It was serious and sustained violence.

“The victim was kicked and punched unconscious. One of the men lashed out with a baseball bat which was swung more than once.

“One witness described the attack as sickening.”

Mr Saeed had fought back and hit Jacob with a spade before he was taken to Newport’s Royal Gwent Hospital to be treated for head and rib injuries.

In a victim impact statement, he said: “I no longer feel safe in Caldicot so I had to sell the business. I have lost trust in people and I feel nervous and on edge.

“I keep thinking the incident over and over in my head.”

The three brothers all pleaded guilty to causing actual bodily harm and affray on November 16, 2018.

Jacob also admitted possession of an offensive weapon – a baseball bat.

Karl Williams, for Jacob, a new dad, said his client was initially a “peacemaker” and he himself had needed hospital treatment for injuries to his forehead.

The court heard the lottery winner is hoping to become a lorry driver.

Owen Williams, representing Joshua asked the court to take into consideration his guilty pleas and previous good character.

Tom Roberts, for Jamie, said his client “expresses genuine remorse” and that he was “now drug-free which he wasn’t at the time of the offence”.

Judge Williams told the defendants: “The three of you went mob-handed and you set upon your victim. You kicked and punched him.

“It was a sustained assault with the use of a weapon. This was mindless group violence.”

All three were jailed for 12 months, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to carry out 180 hours of unpaid work.

Jacob Hodge, 29, of Longfellow Road, was ordered to complete a six-day rehabilitation activity requirement.

Joshua Hodge, 29, of Park Road, was ordered to complete a 30-day rehabilitation activity requirement.

Jamie Hodge, 31, of Norman Court, was ordered to complete a 15-day rehabilitation activity requirement.

All the defendants were each ordered to pay £500 costs each and a £140 victim surcharge.

Jacob Hodge won £1 million on a National Lottery scratchcard in May 2018.