What began as an ordinary night in Liverpool quickly descended into a nightmare in the shadows behind a local supermarket.
A man, vulnerable and unaware, rested on the cold pavement — oblivious to the three figures creeping closer, their whispered plans carrying a sinister edge. By dawn, the city would be shaken, and a family already marked by tragedy would spiral further into infamy.
A Crime That Stirred Liverpool’s Soul
The city was gripped by horror when Connor and Brandon Doran, two teenage brothers, along with their friend Simon Evans, were convicted of the savage murder of Kevin Bennett, a 53-year-old man experiencing homelessness.
Bennett had spent his final hours at a neighborhood pub before seeking shelter behind the store, only to become the victim of an unrelenting, merciless 20-minute assault. The injuries he sustained proved fatal, and he succumbed to them six days later, sparking outrage and sorrow throughout the community.
A Family Enmeshed in Darkness
The violence that claimed Kevin’s life echoed the darker chapters in the Doran family saga. While the younger brothers faced justice, their eldest sibling, Ryan Doran, was preparing for trial over a separate murder charge—accused of a deadly, unprovoked attack on 42-year-old Wayne Mitchell. The family’s troubles didn’t end there. Their mother, Linda Doran, was later convicted for obstructing justice by providing a false alibi, while another brother, Jordan, faced his own legal troubles after defying court orders during the trial.
The Fateful Night of August 17, 2012
That evening, Kevin Bennett found himself a target as he slept in a narrow alley off County Road. Spurred on by Connor, Simon launched a brutal barrage of blows, while Brandon stood guard, ensuring no one interrupted. Despite his grievous wounds, Bennett managed to crawl toward the supermarket entrance before collapsing, only to die days later from complications caused by infection.
Conclusion
The death of Kevin Bennett is a stark and sobering testament to the destructive ripple of unchecked violence. This tragedy exposes a haunting cycle, where criminal behavior threads through generations, tearing apart families and communities alike.
The Doran family’s dark legacy serves as a warning—a plea for urgent intervention focused not only on curbing youth violence but also on addressing the deep-rooted issues fueling generational crime in Liverpool and beyond.