Trio sentenced for attack spree

Michael Lilley

Three people have been sentenced following a morning crime spree, triggered off by an attack where a disabled man was beaten, stamped on the head and struck with iron bar without provocation.

Michael Lilley, 21, of Henderson Street, Smallbridge, pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent, actual bodily harm and violent disorder.

Today, (Friday 1 April 2011), he was given an indeterminate sentence for public protection at Bolton Crown Court. He must serve at least five years before being considered eligible for parole.

Two 16-year-old boys were also sentenced.

One pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm with intent, actual bodily harm and theft and sentenced to three years in a Young Offender's Institute.

The other pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm with intent, actual bodily harm and violent disorder and was sentenced to four years in a Young Offender's Institute.

Shortly before 6am on 7 April 2010, the defendants were seen standing over the man who was lying injured on the floor on Henderson Street, Smallbridge.

A resident called the police and an ambulance. The 52-year-old victim was found unconscious and he had a stamp mark to his face. His mobile phone had also been stolen.

He was taken to hospital in a critical condition, where he remained in a coma for several weeks. He also suffered a broken jaw, fractured skull and broken cheek bones.

When he was found, detectives from Rochdale CID launched an investigation into a savage assault, as they believed the man had been beaten, stamped on the head and struck with an iron bar.

The defendants then took a bus nearby to Todmorden. Two of the offenders then congratulated each other on the bus.

They approached a 16-year-old boy near a bus station, who was minding his own business, punched him in the face and poured hot coffee over him.

Shortly afterwards, the trio set upon a delivery driver, throwing a brick and shattered bottle at him, smashing his windscreen and even confronting him with a garden fork.

The trio left and the man was unhurt.

Detective Sergeant Jason Burke said: "On that April morning, these three offenders went on the rampage, attacking innocent members of the public at random.

"The attack in Rochdale was relentless and entirely unprovoked on a disabled man who was minding his own business. His injuries were so severe that the consequences could have been far worse. For them to use a heavy iron bar on a defenceless man is discgraceful.

"I hope today's sentences send a strong message on how such lawlessness will not be tolerated."