THREE men who viciously attacked a man attempting to withdraw money from a cash machine in Widnes town centre have been sentenced.

Jamie McCann, 24, from Widnes and brothers Joseph and James Hesketh, both 20, from Liverpool were part of a group of people the victim walked through to use an ATM outside Barclays bank at the junction of Albert Road and Robert Street at around 11pm on Saturday, September 29 last year.

The trio subsequently became involved in an altercation with the victim, a now 21-year-old man from Widnes, and went on to viciously assault him.

The Hesketh brothers initially threw punches and the victim was knocked to the ground.

Joseph Hesketh then kicked the victim in the head as he lay on the floor.

McCann did the same three times as the man lay motionless.

As the other members of the group dispersed, McCann dragged the victim further into the road before stamping on his head and kicking him again.

McCann then punched him four more times before walking off.

The victim was left with serious facial injuries.

He was taken to hospital via an ambulance and was discharged after receiving treatment.

During the altercation the victim had his wallet stolen.

Soon afterwards a then 17-year-old boy from Liverpool, who was part of the group, tried to get into the nearby Imperial bar by using the victim’s driving licence, which was inside the stolen wallet, as ID.

Officers who were called to the assault were notified of this by staff at The Imperial bar.

The teenager, who was found to be in possession of class A drug cocaine, was subsequently arrested.

The other three offenders were arrested by Wednesday 10 October having been identified through CCTV enquiries.

McCann, of Warrington Road, Widnes, pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

The Hesketh brothers, both of Willingdon Road, Liverpool, admitted a lesser charge of causing grievous bodily harm without intent.

The three were sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court on Tuesday (August 27).

McCann was jailed for five years and the Hesketh brothers were handed prison sentences that were suspended for two years.

Joseph Hesketh was given a 15-month suspended prison sentence.

His brother James' suspended prison sentence is three months shorter.

The brothers also have to adhere to the requirements of a three-month curfew order with electronic monitoring, as well as a 30-day rehabilitation order.

They were also ordered to each pay £150 compensation to the victim.

The teenager who was 17 at the time of the incident and cannot be named for legal reasons pleaded guilty to theft and possession of a class A drug (cocaine).

On Wednesday, 12 June he was sentenced at Warrington Youth Court, where he was ordered to attend a youth offender panel for six months and pay £85 court costs and a £20 victim surcharge.

Detective Constable Tracey Short, who led the investigation into the incident at Widnes CID, said: "Following an altercation with a group of males in the town centre, the victim was subjected to a vicious and sustained attack.

"His head was stamped on and kicked as he lay defenceless on the ground and his wallet was stolen from him.

"He was left with serious facial injuries that required hospital treatment.

"The consequences of this incident could have been far worse.

"I am delighted that Jamie McCann, who caused the bulk of the victim’s injuries, has been jailed for his abhorrent actions that night.

"Now that the four offenders have all been sentenced I hope that this provides some closure for the victim and that he can now move forward with his life."