THE manager of a Newport homeless centre said she hopes two teenagers locked up for an attack on a homeless man will learn how to treat people on equal measures during their custodial term.

Alison Beard, manager of the Olive Branch day centre, said Vladimirs Kazlausks, who occasionally visits the centre, is still suffering from the effects of the attack which happened in May this year.

The Argus reported yesterday how Kane Price, 15, and Ashley Farrow, 18, were both being found guilty of grievous bodily harm with intent on Mr Kazlausks, 54.

Speaking about the two teenagers, Ms Beard said: “Hopefully, during their time served, they will learn how to treat people on equal measures so that their lives will be improved and not ruined.”

She added that Mr Kazlausks still visits the day centre occasionally but said he is partially sighted following the attack and suffers from dizzy spells.

She said: “He is going through a low emotional state. “For people sleeping rough, they are very vulnerable and we are doing everything we can to get people off the streets by working with the Newport Night Shelter and the Olive Branch day centre.”

A trial had heard how Mr Kazlausks was attacked while he was sleeping in an underground service road beneath the Kingsway centre in Newport.

Both the teenagers blamed each other for the attack on May 8. A victim impact statement from Mr Kazlausks said the attack had left him feeling close to having a nervous breakdown.

He said the incident had left him in hospital for a week, some of which was in intensive care, and that he was waiting to undergo facial surgery after suffering serious injuries which included being left partially sighted in one eye and suffering from broken fingers and pain in his lower back.

Price was given a seven-and-a-half-year custodial term to be served at a young offenders institution with a four year extended licence. Farrow was given a six year custodial sentence and a three-and-a-half year extended licence, also to be served at a young offenders’ institution.