Reservists get 10 years for beating death

TORONTO, May 2 (UPI) -- Two Canadian military reservists were given 10-year prison sentences for the beating death of a homeless man who was sleeping on a Toronto bench.

Judge Eugene Ewaschuk expressed disgust in his sentencing statement Wednesday for Jeffrey Hall and Brian Deganis, who pleaded guilty to manslaughter, the Toronto Star reported.

On Aug. 31, 2005, 59-year-old Paul Croutch was attacked as he slept wrapped in plastic garbage bags on a bench outside of a downtown armory.

Ewaschuk said in his sentencing statement the two 21-year-old military reservists kicked the victim repeatedly to the point where he was thrown 10 feet, the Star said.

"The accused literally stomped Mr. Croutch to death," the judge said.

A woman who attempted to intervene was assaulted and the men were also sentenced concurrently for assaulting her, the report said.