A MAN helped a violent thug dispose evidence after a brutal stabbing in Bewsey.

Nathan Corlett drove from his home in Widnes to Warrington to collect his friend, Lee Ashton just hours after Ashton had stuck a blade into the back of an innocent victim in the early hours of the morning.

Liverpool Crown Court heard how the shocking attack took place at 11.45pm on December 19, 2021.

Ashton became jealous of his ex-girlfriend’s new partner which led to the attack, leaving him bleeding on the street and fighting for his life.

Fortunately, an ambulance was the ‘second vehicle’ to turn the corner onto the road after the incident which meant the victim was able to receive emergency treatment soon after it had happened and this in turn saved his life.

Ashton was found guilty on counts of wounding and possession of a bladed article at Liverpool Crown Courts back in August and was handed an eight-year custodial sentence with a three-year licence period. 

Corlett, of Wellingford Avenue, Widnes, appeared before the court on Monday afternoon, 23, after pleading guilty to one count of assisting an offender.

Prosecuting, Henry Riding said how Corlett, 26, received a call from Ashton the following morning asking him to pick him up from his location in Warrington.

Following his request, Corlett drove to pick up the offender where he then escorted him to a Holiday Inn in Runcorn and took possession of Ashton’s coat, which was worn during the stabbing, to hide somewhere.

This coat would later be regarded as evidence relating to the attack.

Mr Riding told the court how messages recovered from the phone of the defendant provided proof of Corlett’s involvement in assisting Ashton.

One message sent by Corlett read: “Bro, I should of burned it, you have roped me in on the charge.”

While another message from the defendant ‘suggested’ items were hidden potentially in the river in an attempt to dispose of them.

A snapchat message from the defendant sent to Ashton included a link to a Warrington Guardian article which reported on the incident of the stabbing.

Corlett confessed during a police interview on April 8 that he had taken the defendant to the hotel but stated that it was not until Ashton requested he stash his coat in the boot of his car that he realised something had happened.

He then proceeded to take the coat of the offender and conceal it behind a bin at Pickering Pasture Park in Widnes.

After Ashton had persistently asked his friend to disclose the location of the coat, eventually Corlett told him where he had hidden it on that day.

Defending, Lloyd Morgan said the defendant had only one previous conviction before this incident which involved driving without insurance.

He said: “The strongest mitigating feature is his guilty plea.

“He has shown genuine remorse.”

Mr Morgan detailed how since the incident the defendant has had to sign off work due to stress and anxiety.

He described Corlett as a ‘doting father’ to his two children and his absence to their lives would have a ‘marked negative effect’ on them.

“He never wishes to darken the door of the court again,” he added.

Concluding, Judge David Potter summarised the traumatic events of the attack.

Speaking in relation to the victim he said: “He ran literally for his life.

“He was stabbed in his back; he ran away with the blade still in his back.

“Within moments of the attack, Lee Ashton began making preparations.”

Judge Potter stated that Corlett had been ‘recruited’ by the offender to assist him and while Ashton had been identified by the victim during trial it was still evidence that would have helped in the proceedings of the case.

He added: “Your assistance towards Lee Ashton did have a significant part in the delay in bringing Lee Ashton to justice.

“This offence is so serious that only a custodial sentence can be given.”

The defendant was handed a 12-month sentence of which half will be served before he will be released on licence.