On February 9, 2024, a seemingly ordinary night out for a group of friends in Teesside ended in tragedy when a father and son duo, Martin and Shaun Breeze, unleashed a brutal and calculated attack, resulting in the death of 60-year-old Brian Darby and serious injuries to others. The incident, captured on chilling CCTV footage, began with a minor altercation between Shaun Breeze and the group. After a brief confrontation, during which Shaun feigned possession of a knife, he fled the scene on his bicycle, only to return moments later with his father, Martin, armed with their white van. The CCTV footage clearly shows the van, already damaged from a previous collision caused by Shaun, mounting the pavement and deliberately targeting the group of pedestrians.
The horrifying attack left Brian Darby dead at the scene and several others injured, including a woman who sustained life-threatening injuries and a 17-year-old boy who required extensive hospital treatment. Immediately following the attack, Martin and Shaun Breeze abandoned the damaged van and attempted to cover their tracks by falsely reporting it stolen. Shaun’s deceitful 999 call, where he fabricated a story about his father’s van being stolen and involved in a fatal crash, further highlights the pair’s chilling disregard for human life and their attempts to evade justice. The call, played in court, exposed their desperation to create a false alibi and deflect blame for their heinous actions.
The subsequent investigation by Cleveland Police, utilizing CCTV footage and witness testimonies, meticulously pieced together the events of that fateful night, exposing the premeditated nature of the attack and the Breeze family’s callous attempt to obstruct justice. The evidence presented in court painted a clear picture of how a minor dispute escalated into a fatal act of revenge, fueled by anger and a shocking disregard for the consequences of their actions. The court heard how the father and son worked together, with Shaun initially provoking the confrontation and then summoning his father to exact retribution.
The trial of Martin and Shaun Breeze at Teesside Crown Court culminated in their convictions and sentencing. Martin Breeze, 57, received a life sentence with a minimum term of 32 years for the murder of Brian Darby. Shaun Breeze, 29, was sentenced to 16 years for manslaughter. The judge, in delivering the sentences, emphasized the gravity of the offenses, highlighting the premeditation, the use of a vehicle as a weapon, and the devastating impact on the victims and their families. The sentences reflect the severity of the crime and send a clear message about the consequences of such violent acts.
The impact of this senseless act of violence rippled through the community, leaving a trail of grief and devastation. Brian Darby, described as a well-known and well-liked member of the community, was tragically robbed of his life. The emotional impact statements read in court poignantly conveyed the profound loss suffered by his family and friends, painting a picture of a life needlessly cut short and the irreparable damage caused by the Breeze’s actions. The physical and psychological scars borne by the surviving victims also served as a stark reminder of the enduring consequences of that night’s violence.
Detective Inspector Matt Hollingsworth, from Cleveland Police’s Homicide and Major Enquiry Team, expressed the incomprehensible nature of the attack, emphasizing that a chance encounter escalated into a senseless act of revenge. He commended the resilience of the victims and their families and hoped that the sentences provided some sense of closure, although acknowledging that no amount of justice could truly compensate for the loss of Brian Darby or alleviate the suffering of those injured. The case stands as a stark testament to the devastating consequences of unchecked anger and the importance of holding those responsible for such violent acts accountable.
