Teenagers, 16, admit 'appalling' St Annes attack

10:05am Friday 25th July 2008

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Two youths were yesterday sentenced after pleading guilty to causing grievous bodily harm to a St Annes teenager who was on crutches at the time of the assault.

Thomas Walker, 19, from St Annes, sustained life threatening head injuries on May 11 last year during a serious assault in St Annes town centre.

As result of the incident a major incident room was set up and after a lengthy police investigation two local youths were arrested and later charged with causing Mr Walker’s injuries.

Last month at Burnley Crown Court a 16-year-old boy pleaded guilty to attempting to cause grievous bodily harm to Mr Walker, having admitted hitting him on the head and body with Mr Walker's own crutch.

Judge Heather Lloyd sentenced him to two years in a young offenders institute and gave him a training order.

The second boy, also 16, had pleaded guilty to assault occasioning actual bodily harm at an earlier appearance.

The youth accepted his part in the assault, admitting punching Thomas Walker prior to the assault by his friend.

He was given a 12 month youth referral order.

The officer in charge of the investigation Detective Inspector Jo Edwards said: “The attack on Thomas Walker was to such an extent that it has left a young man with life changing injuries.

“This was an appalling attack upon a young man whilst he had been enjoying a night out with friends and the level of violence shown towards Mr Walker, who was unable to escape the attack due to a broken leg, was shocking.

“The impact on the life of Mr Walker and his family will be significant for the rest of their lives.

“I hope these sentences today will bring some comfort to Mr Walker and his family."