5:40pm Wednesday 8th July 2009
By World reporter
SAVAGE thugs who attacked a car and brutally assaulted a passenger, inches from a baby boy, were branded ‘wolves’ by a judge this week.
The mob hurled road signs, bricks, bottles and sandbags at a Widnes man and continued kicking him as he lay lifeless on the ground.
The unconscious victim was so badly injured, witnesses feared he was dead.
Miraculously, the three-month old baby escaped unhurt on the back seat of the purple Ford Fiesta, as it came under fire, sustaining £3,000 worth of damage.
Jailing four defendants at Warrington Crown Court on Friday, Judge Thomas Teague said: “This was an aggressive unprovoked attack by four acting together like a pack of wolves.
“It was a joint attack by you all. I don’t see any distinction between you.
“Some of you were using heavy objects as weapons and others using feet.
“All the time inside the car was a three-month-old baby and a victim lying helpless on the ground.
“He was rendered unconscious.
“This kind of disgraceful public conduct causes great concern to the community.
“Serious consequences deserve stern penalty.”
Dean Anthony Crane, aged 22, of Lodge Road, Widnes and Liam Wright, aged 21, of Hazlemere Drive, Warrington, were jailed for two years.
Warren Lee Koo, aged 19, of Hale Road, Widnes, and John Lefevre, aged 20, of Rydal Way, Widnes were sentenced to 20 months’ detention.
All four admitted violent disorder.
Simon Medland, QC, prosecuting, said the unprovoked attack happened at around 9pm on January 9 this year.
John Hughes was driving along Lodge Road, Widnes with his baby son and friend, Paul Moria, when they stopped at roadworks.
A mob of 30 youths attacked the car.
Mr Medland said: “One of the females shouted: ‘Leave it, he’s got a baby in there’ but the gang continued to hurl missiles at the car.
“Mr Hughes was in a dilemma, he wanted to protect his baby but didn’t want to leave his friend being attacked.
“The victim was so badly injured, some people thought he might be dead,” he said.
Mr Moria suffered a fractured left cheekbone, fractured left eyeball cup, a swollen face and multiple abrasions to his face and neck.
He was detained in Whiston Hospital for neurological observation, a brain scan and x-rays.
Simon Berkson QC defending Wright, said: “Wright admits kicking the victim as he lay motionless on the ground.
“He feels bad at the injuries inflicted.”
Virginia Hayton QC for Koo, said: “He is sorry for what he has done.
“He does feel remorseful.”
Daniel Dennis QC for Crane, said: “This incident was disgraceful.
“Crane has a four-year-old daughter. Missing the most important part of her life is going to haunt him.
“He is regretful and has shown remorse.”
Tom Watson QC defending Lefevre, said: “He apologises to the court for his behaviour.
“He knows the circumstances could have been much more serious even than this.
“He has the support of a close family. He believes he can change his ways.”
Afterwards, Inspector Sharon Case, of Widnes Neighbourhood Policing Unit, said: “This was a disgusting unprovoked attack on a young man.
“The fact that there was a young child in the car makes it all the more despicable.
“We worked tirelessly to gather every piece of evidence. We appreciate all the witnesses who were sickened and came forward to assist our investigation.”
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