The sons of Lambeth’s former deputy mayor have been jailed for their involvement in an attack near their mother's home which left a man needing hospital treatment.

Rion Peters, 21, and Scott Richards, 31, the sons of Streatham Wells councillor Judith Best, admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm to Neil Potter, 41.

They denied direct responsibility for the assault on July 28 last year but pleaded guilty on the grounds of joint enterprise. Police are still hunting two other men in connection with the incident.

Inner London Crown Court heard the brothers staged the attack following a party at Mr Potter’s sister’s house in Madeira Road, at which their mother was present.

Nicholas Alexander, prosecuting, said Mr Potter stepped in to break up the fight after one woman slapped another woman in the face.

During the altercation, a wine glass was smashed on his head and the party disbanded, he said.

Mr Potter later received a phone call from Peters, who said he was outside his sister’s house and wanted to talk to him.

Mr Alexander told the court: “While he was outside, [Mr Potter] noticed Scott Richards and two other men approaching from behind.

“Mr Richards said ‘You spat at my mum’. It became clear to Mr Potter that he was there to receive some kind of beating.”

The four men kicked and punched Mr Potter, leaving him with a fractured rib, fractured jaw and needing a total of 21 stitches. He was taken to St George’s Hospital in Tooting where he was treated for his injuries.

Mr Alexander said: “Mr Potter tried to go back into his sister’s house but he was kicked and punched in the head.

“He believes that he lost consciousness and only remembered that he was attended to by police and emergency services.”

The court heard that father-of-one Richards, of Beadnell Road, Lewisham, has 13 previous convictions for offences dating back to 1996, including one for robbery and another for assault with intent to resist arrest.

Meanwhile, former courier Peters, of Madeira Road, Streatham, has one conviction for a drugs offence, which he is believed to have committed after the attack on Mr Potter.

Liam Walker, mitigating for Peters, said: “He did have a subordinate role in the group.

“He is a man of good character – it was wholly out of character to be involved in something like this.

“He says the other two men were the instigators.”

Peter Briegel, mitigating for bother defendants, said Mr Potter’s injuries were not as serious as first feared.

He said: “It is clear that there have not since been any problems between the neighbours.

“Fortunately, everyone has progressed in their lives without any lingering animosity.”

Richards was jailed for 18 months, reduced from 21 months in recognition of his guilty plea while Peters was handed a 16 month sentence, reduced from 19 months.

Both men were told they could be released on licence after serving half their sentence.

Judge Bishop, sentencing, said: “I accept that this seems to have been an isolated but serious act of violence.

“But this was a very frightening evening for [Mr Potter] and he was left with serious injuries.

“You say that you did not throw any kicks or punches but that of course does not matter for sentencing.”

The judge said the earlier charge of wounding with intent would be left to lie on file.