Attacker jailed for an appalling act of violence (From Warrington Guardian)

Attacker jailed for an appalling act of violence

A WINSFORD teenager who almost killed a 14-year-old boy in a brutal attack has been sentenced to four years in prison.

Paul Vincent Jones, 17, from Westminster Grove, pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm relating to an incident which left a boy fighting for his life in intensive care.

Jones was sentenced for the assault in Chester Crown Court on August 9 after he attacked 14-year-old Stephen Lawler, leaving him with brain damage.

David Potter, prosecuting, told the court that on April 16 a couple had been looking for their daughter in Grampian Way and went to a house known as a 'doss house' where youths drink and smoke cannabis.

Mr Potter said: "The man had become aware of the defendant who came and stood next to them.

"He smelled strongly of drink.

"He looked at the house and said 'you've called the police. I'm going to batter you'."

Jones then left in a Renault, but returned not long after and began an unprovoked attack on Stephen Lawler as well as two other 14-year-olds.

Mr Potter said: "The boy offered no resistance and held his hands up to his face to shield himself from the blows.

"He was pleading with the defendant to stop.

"He then held the boy in the headlock and rammed his head into a concrete post.

"When the boy tried to run away Jones pulled his legs from under him, which caused the boy's head to hit the pavement.

"Jones told him 'I'm not finished with you until you're dead'."

The 14-year-old was then taken to hospital suffering fits and required emergency surgery after being diagnosed with a brain haemorrage.

He is now said to be making a steady recovery although the extent of the brain damage is not yet known.

In sentencing Jones to four years in custody, Judge Stephen Clarke called the attack 'the most appalling act of violence that you are likely to come across from such a young person'.

He said: "This was a total loss of control where the victim was almost like a rag doll being thrown about."