A judge compared two men to “animals” for repeatedly punching a woman in the back of the head at a Headington boozer.

Family members Barry and Ryan Pullen left their victim, Karen Tyler, bruised and bleeding after the prolonged attack at the White Horse pub on June 4.

The seven-minute assault was captured on CCTV and played to Oxford Crown Court on Thursday as the pair appeared in the dock.

READ MORE: Central Oxford under flood alert ahead of Storm Ciaran

After watching the video, Judge Michael Gledhill KC said: “It is not good footage, but it is enough to show what animals you were on this occasion.”

Prosecuting, Cathy Olliver said: “It’s a prolonged and persistent assault. It takes place over six to seven minutes.

“The victim is vulnerable. She was an older woman and was drunk at the time.”

Oxford Mail: The assault took place at the at the White Horse pub in Headington on June 4

The court heard that Ms Tyler, who is in her 40s and a member of the Pullen’s family, was at the London Road pub alone when she struck up a conversation with the Pullens.

At one point, she took hold of Barry Pullen’s partner’s arm, possibly to look at her tattoo.

The court heard this angered Barry Pullen, who punched Ms Tyler several times as she turned away, causing her glass to smash.

As she lay on the ground, Ryan Pullen also started punching her.

Ms Tyler sustained a sore back of the head, a bruised shoulder where she had fallen, and a cut to the right forearm from the broken glass.

George Joseph, mitigating Barry Pullen, said: “The assault didn’t come out of a vacuum.

READ MORE: Thames Water announces 'potential loss of 300 jobs'

“There was some build-up, and I would go so far as to say a degree of provocation, but his actions are completely disproportionate.”

He added: “Barry Pullen has seen that footage already and I have no doubt he was squirming in his seat in the dock again.

“His letter outlines his genuine remorse and his embarrassment and shame for leading this assault against a family member.”

Dana Bilan, mitigating Ryan Pullen, said her client was also “deeply ashamed”

“At first, he tries to stop it and then he does accept he is in the wrong in pursuing in the assault when the victim is on the ground,” she said.

The Pullens, both of Harcourt Terrace, Headington, were each handed a 12 month suspended sentence for causing actual bodily harm.

Judge Michael Gledhill KC said: “I hope you two are deeply ashamed of yourselves.

“Your behaviour was utterly despicable, cowardly, violent, and prolonged against a woman who was connected to you.

“It was provoked by nothing other than another woman looking at your partner’s arm.”