Teenage chief of feral gang who killed weak homeless man, 53, as he slept might quickly be free of jail

The teenage leader of a feral gang who killed a vulnerable homeless man has a parole hearing and could soon be freed from prison.

Connor Doran, 17, was convicted alongside his younger brother Brandon, 14, in 2013 of killing Kevin Bennett, 53, as he slept rough outside a supermarket in Liverpool.

The court case caused shockwaves after it was revealed that the assault was both pre-meditated and shockingly brutal – and was the culmination of a chaotic family life seeped in violence.

Labelled Britain’s worst family at the time, the household in which they were raised was fatherless and benefit-funded, a place where drug-taking, clashes with the police and court appearances were the norm.

The Doran family were notorious in the Anfield area of Liverpool, and by the time the brothers appeared at Liverpool Crown Court in April 2013, eldest brother Ryan was already starting a life sentence for murder.

Aged 23, Ryan was found guilty of murdering Wayne Mitchell, 42, of Anfield, who died in hospital on 25 March 2012 after being discovered in a Liverpool street the previous day.

The court heard that Ryan hit Mr Mitchell over the head with an empty beer bottle for no reason. The victim hit his head on the pavement when he fell. Ryan got a minimum sentence of 15 years.

The news was kept from the jury considering Connor and Brandon’s case. They were joined in the dock by gang member Simon Evans, 14, who was also found guilty of murder.

Connor Doran, labelled as the leader of the pack, was sentenced to a minimum of 12 years, Brandon Doran received six years and Evans was initially ordered to serve at least eight years.

Shockingly, it was revealed that during the trial Doran’s second son, Jordan, 21, was held in contempt of court after being caught using a mobile phone to take photographs in the courtroom.

This is illegal and resulted in him being jailed for six months for contempt.

However, the most withering criticisms were made of mum Linda Doran, jailed along with her two youngest sons after being convicted of furnishing them with false alibis. She got 30 months and the wholehearted condemnation of the judge.

‘There cannot be many mothers, three of whose sons are serving life sentences for murder,’ Judge Clement Goldstone told her during sentencing at Liverpool Crown Court.

‘But then again there are not that many mothers who have shown themselves to be either so unwilling or unable to shoulder the responsibility of motherhood as you have. You are a pathetic and tragic character.’

Despite the strong words and subsequent moral inquiry into the family’s warped values, MailOnline has discovered that Connor Doran, now 28, has a parole hearing in May, that Brandon, 25, was released in 2019 and Ryan, 34, was recommended for a move to an open jail in January 2025.

A source familiar with the family history said: ‘It beggars belief that three members of the same family who killed for no reason whatsoever might be back together on the streets in a year or so. Is that really justice?’

A Parole Board spokesperson said: ‘An oral hearing has been listed for the parole review of Connor Doran and is scheduled to take place in May 2025.

‘Parole Board decisions are solely focused on what risk a prisoner could represent to the public if released and whether that risk is manageable in the community.

‘A panel will carefully examine a huge range of evidence, including details of the original crime, and any evidence of behaviour change, as well as explore the harm done and impact the crime has had on the victims.

‘Members read and digest hundreds of pages of evidence and reports in the lead up to an oral hearing.

‘Evidence from witnesses including probation officers, psychiatrists and psychologists, officials supervising the offender in prison as well as victim personal statements are then given at the hearing.

‘The prisoner and witnesses are then questioned at length during the hearing which often lasts a full day or more.

‘Parole reviews are undertaken thoroughly and with extreme care. Protecting the public is our number one priority.’

A spokesperson for the Parole Board said: ‘We can confirm that a panel of the Parole Board has directed the release of Brandon Doran following an oral hearing.

‘Parole Board decisions are solely focused on what risk a prisoner could represent to the public if released and whether that risk is manageable in the community.’

Brendon served just six years for his role in the murder of Mr Bennett, who was a former union official who had fallen on hard times after becoming an alcoholic.

Regarding Ryan Doran, a spokesperson for the Parole Board said: ‘We can confirm that the Parole Board refused the release of Ryan Doran but recommended a move to an open conditions prison following an oral hearing.

‘This was a recommendation only and the Secretary of State for Justice considers the advice before making the final decision on whether a prisoner is suitable for open conditions.’

During their trial the jury was told that Connor had goaded Evans by saying: ‘I bet you haven’t got it in you to do him in.’

Evans later told his friend: ‘I started kicking him, I booted him and now he’s dead,’ the court heard. Brandon Doran stood lookout as the attack took place, the prosecution said.

The three boys, who all denied murder, were found guilty on 26 February 2013 following a four-week trial.

Passing sentence, judge Clement Goldstone QC, the recorder of Liverpool, said: ‘I think it is a desperately sad reflection on this society that each of you was party to serious violence purely for the sake of it.’ 

In June 2018, Evans’ minimum tariff was reduced because of his ‘exceptional’ behaviour in jail, including becoming a prison mentor to other inmates. This meant he was eligible for a parole hearing in February 2020.

After appearing before a parole panel, the Ministry of Justice confirmed that he was released on licence. He had served just six year behind bars.

Both Jordan and mum Linda Doran – a mother-of-five at the time of her jailing – are understood to have been released after serving their sentence.