The strata council president of the building outside of where a gay couple was beaten in June recommends the suspects' sentence include picking up garbage during the Pride Parade.

Fern Jeffries said in a letter delivered Monday to Crown counsel in Downtown Community Court that a sentence could also include the suspects cleaning the Europa on Keefer Street.

"Our community and our strata corporation are deeply troubled by the offending behaviour of the [suspects]," wrote Jeffries, who is also co-chair of the False Creek Residents Association. "Our building was urinated on and the main access card to the building was stolen during the attack. We were all put at risk by this behaviour."

David Holtzman and his partner Peter Regier were attacked and beaten by two men on the evening of June 12 outside their townhouse at the Europa. According to Holtzman, the attack occurred after he questioned one of the men for urinating on the building. Holtzman and Regier, who were treated for cuts, bruises and said they suffered concussions, had just returned from a concert at about 10:45 p.m.

The Vancouver Police Department arrested two brothers June 30 in Richmond in connection with the attack. Police are treating the case as a hate crime after the victims said the attackers yelled homophobic slurs at them during the beating.

Parminder Singh Peter Bassi, 29, is charged with two counts of assault causing bodily harm. His brother, Ravinder Robbie Bassi, 27, is charged with one count of assault causing bodily harm.

The brothers were released on $1,000 bail after their arrest and were to appear in Downtown Community Court Monday. Lawyer David Baker appeared on their behalf and told Judge David Pendleton he had just been retained by the brothers.

Baker requested time to review details of the case and scheduled an appearance date for Aug. 9. After leaving the courtroom, Baker told the Courier he would "have something to say" once he read the file.

Holtzman and Regier, dressed in dark suits, sat in the front row of the courtroom to hear Monday morning's proceedings. They were joined by a handful of friends and neighbours.

Outside the courtroom, Holtzman said he wasn't surprised the case was put over to another date and that he understood that a delay in proceedings is not unusual. He said it was important for him and Regier to attend court to "bear witness and show that we're paying attention and want to make sure that justice is served."

Jeffries said in her letter the strata council and the residents' association should be entitled to submit victim impact statements to the court.

She also requested the Crown add charges of mischief and trespassing "so that the court has a more thorough picture of the offending behaviour."

Added Jeffries: "Because this behaviour is not uncommon following major sporting events at GM Place or B.C. Place or at the closing of local bars and pubs, it is very important to us that the court send a clear message that will deter others from this kind of desecration and violence in our neighbourhood."

The attack occurred after an Ultimate Fighting Championship event at GM Place. So far, police have not linked the attack to the night of fights.

Conditions imposed against the Bassi brothers include having no contact with Holtzman and Regier and not to be found in the area bounded by West Pender Street to the north, Expo Boulevard and Dunsmuir Street to the south, Carrall Street to the east and Beatty Street to the west.

mhowell@vancourier.com