Two men who viciously attacked a gay couple, causing a broken jaw and cheekbones, have escaped jail time after accepting a plea deal in a Philadelphia court.

The perpetrators, Philip Williams and Kevin Harrigan, were told they must stay away from downtown Philadelphia for 5 years, pay just under $1,000 in restitution and perform 200 hours of service at a facility serving the LGBT community.

The men claimed that the attack was not motivated by the victims’ sexual orientation, reports CBS News.

Prosecutors alleged that the two men were part of a gang who hurled gay slurs at victims, Zachary Hesse and Andy Haught, before attacking them on September 11 last year. After the assault Haught was left with facial fractures and had his jaw wired shut for two months.

The attack garnered widespread attention when police posted a video of the suspect online, urging witness to come forward. Soon after the video was posted, internet sleuths identified one of the men as Greg Bennett, who was formerly a cast member on ‘Real Housewives of New Jersey’.

The incident also caused a sharp public outcry and prompted Philadelphia City Council to enact an LGBT-inclusive hate-crimes law that allows for fines and up to 90 days in jail for offenders. However Harrigan, Williams could not be charged under the law, as it was adopted after the incident, reports Philadelphia Gay News.

Dozens of Twitter users sent the district attorney’s office messages of outrage following the lenient sentencing. Sam Ritchie of the Innocence Project, wrote: “They didn’t even admit what they did And still they got a slap on the wrist. Shame on you DASethWilliams!#LGBT”.

A woman, Kathryn Knott, who also was involved in the attack will head to trial after having her plea rejected.