Key Events So Far 16:03 Jonathan Humphries Cross examination

Mr Birkett suggests that Mr Lewis was being asked if his conclusions were being drawn from the suggestion that the bag was only swung in one single motion.

Mr Lewis agrees.

PB: “That was the scenario that you were considering?”

RL: “Yes.”

PB: “But you make it clear that your investigation took place with no knowledge of the carrier bag, no knowledge of the quantity of wine in the bottle, and no knowledge of the motion used by Mr Duggan?”

RL: “Yes.”

Mr Lewis asks if he was asked to consider the evidence of Julie Mercer, who said she saw Duggan swing a plastic bag containing a bottle.

He says he was not.

Mr Birkett asks about the fluid found on Duggans jacket.

Mr Lewis says he was unable to confirm whether this was wine.

That concludes Mr Lewiss evidence.

Mr Cole says that is the end of live witnesses for the prosecution.

Mr Justice Holroyde adjourns the case until 10am tomorrow

15:54 Jonathan Humphries Proceedings back underway

Judge Holroyde is back in court and the jury have returned to their seats.

Mr Cole calls Robert Lewis to the witness stand. Mr Lewis is a forensic scientist.

He specialised in examination of glass fragments from the scene of Miss Wilsons fatal injuries.

Mr Cole asks about specific samples of glass found at the scene on Frank Street.

Mr Lewis says that he was able to piece some of the broken bottle together, enabling him to reach the conclusion that the fragments and the bottle top all came from an Echo Falls Fruit Fusion red wine bottle.

Mr Cole says that four glass fragments were obtained from the hooded jacket obtained from Stephen Duggan.

Mr Lewis says the jacket was examined under specialist lighting, and appeared to have come into contact with a form of liquid.

Duggans jeans were also examined, and were found to contain glass fragments.

Mr Lewis says all of the fragments appeared to match the Echo Falls bottle.

Mr Cole asks about fragments of glass recovered from jeans worn by Alison Wilson at the time of her death.

Mr Lewis concluded that the fragments of glass and pattern of wine staining was “likely” to have been caused by the bottle being broken over the head of Mr Tomlinson.

However his findings are inconclusive as to whether Miss Wilson was in close proximity to Mr Tomlinson when the bottle was broken over his head.

Mr Cole asks about the theory that the bottle was inside a carrier bag when it struck the victims.

He says he would expect to find damage to the bag.

Mr Cole suggests that the restriction of the carrier bag would reduce the momentum of the bottle.

Mr Lewis agrees.

Mr Cole asks if the absence of any glass fragments on Miss Wilsons upper clothing is significant.

Mr Lewis suggests that he would expect glass fragments to have left the bag and gone onto her clothing if the bag struck her containing broken glass.

Mr Lewis says on Mr Tomlinson however, there were around 300 fragments of broken glass on his clothing, consistent with a bottle outside of a bag being broken over his head.

He also says if the bag had been swung and hit Mr Tomlinson, he would have expected it to have lost momentum and therefore have been unable to cause an injury to Miss Wilson in the same movement.

Mr Cole asks his overall opinion on the proposition that the wine bottle had been in a bag at the time it was broken.

Mr Lewis: “In my opinion the findings provide very strong support to the proposition that the Echo Falls wine bottle used in the assault on Anthony Tomlinson and Alison Wilson had not been contained in a carrier bag at the time it was broken.”

That concludes Mr Coles questions.

15:14 Jonathan Humphries Cross examination

Mr Birkett will now ask some questions of Ms Davidson.

He is talking through some photographs of the scene and exhibits.

Mr Birkett asks Ms Davidson to confirm that the bottle cap from the wine bottle was found at a different location to where the injuries took place.

She confirms that.

Ms Davidson says the fact that there was no blood or small shards of glass on the bottle cap supports the theory that the cap was not on the bottle when it struck the victims.

Mr Birkett reminds the court of the evidence of taxi driver Julie Mercer, who told the court she saw Duggan swing a plastic bag containing a bottle at the victims, striking first Mr Tomlinson and then Miss Wilson.

Ms Davidson says she was not asked to consider Ms Mercers statement when conducting her investigation.

Mr Birkett asks to go through the findings of Ms Davidsons report in relation to the three bags, the matalan bag, the baby bag and the food carrier bag, she examined to check the theory that the bottle was swung inside a bag.

Mr Birkett suggest if the bottle had been broken inside any of the bags then she would have been expected to find wine inside the bag.

Ms Davidson confirms this, and says there was no traces of wine staining in any of the three bags.

Mr Birkett looks at a picture of Stephen Duggans jacket, which contained shards of glass.

PB: “If an open bottle containing wine had been put under that jacket, then there is a real risk there would have been wine spillage or staining inside the jacket?”

GD: “Yes.”

Mr Birkett suggests that if Duggan had been involved in a tussle at the time he was holding an open bottle of wine there would be a risk again of spillage of wine.

He suggests there may have been wine on the baby seat, that Duggan was seen to be fighting with the mother of the baby over.

Mr Birkett asks if she is suggesting that the bottle was held in Duggans hand as a weapon.

Ms Davidson says she suggests the weapon was held and swung in a motion.

She says if the bottle had been broken with the wine inside the energy would have been transferred to the liquid, which would have explained the splashes of wine and blood on the victims clothing.

Mr Birkett asks if she is suggesting that the theory the bottle in the bag is impossible, or simply less likely.

Ms Davidson says she found the evidence that the bottle was not in a bag is “less likely” but she cannot completely exclude the possibility.

That concludes Mr Birketts questions, and Ms Davidsons evidence.

Judge Holroyde allows the jury a short break

14:49 Jonathan Humphries Injuries “extremely unlikely” to be caused by bottle swung inside a carrier bag

Mr Cole asks about blood staining at the scene, and the “general interpretation” of blood staining on the ground.

She says there was heavy blood pooling and drips of blood on the road.

Ms Davidson describes where the blood stains were along the section of Frank Street.

She says due to the nature of Miss Wilsons injury, she would expect to see a significant amount of blood in the immediate area where she was injured, and blood staining anywhere she would move after that.

She says her findings were consistent with this expectation.

The court heard there was also heavy blood-staining outside number six on Frank Street, where Miss Wilson collapsed and received medical attention.

Mr Cole asks Ms Davidson about her hypothesis resulting from her findings, and specifically whether Duggan punched or hit Mr Tomlinson with his hand, or whether he used a bottle.

She says: ““The presence of directional blood spots and red wine mixed together on the jeans and jacket of Anthony Tomlinson, the presence of blood from Anthony Tomlinson on Stephen Duggans hands, the blood matching Alison Wilson on Stephen Duggans bob hat and the waistband of Stephen Duggans jeans, when I consider my evidence I have to take into account there are also findings from other evidence on glass fragments, dealt with by my colleague.

“My findings provide extremely strong support for the suggestion that a bottle was used.”

Mr Cole asked whether there was any evidence to suggest whether Duggan hit the victims with a bottle of wine, or whether he swung a plastic carrier bag containing the bottle of wine.

Ms Davidson says she was given a plastic carrier bag and the baby bag carried by Duggan to examine.

She says there was no wine staining on the baby bag, although blood spots were found on its surface.

A Matalan carrier bag, from outside 6 Frank Street, was also examined.

There was no damage to the bag and it was in good condition.

She also examined a bag containing take away food, which had blood and wine stains on the outside.

Mr Cole refers back to the small section of skin found on a blood stained piece of glass.

Ms Davidson says a DNA match for Alison Wilson was obtained from the skin.

The court hears there was no evidence to support the theory that the plastic takeaway bag, the Matalan bag or the baby bag were swung at the victims, while containing the bottle, causing the injury.

Mr Cole asks if there was any evidence that the bottle could have been inside any bag when it struck Mr Tomlinson or Miss Wilson.

GC “If the bottle had been within a bag when it broke, what would you have been expected to find.?”

GD “If it is as the bottle breaks, to allow an opening for the wine to transfer, you would have to have an opening at the same time as the blood was transferred which would be unlikely.”

Ms Davidson says her findings, of wine and blood mixed together, are inconsistent with the idea that one blow from a bottle inside a bag caused the injuries.

Mr Cole suggests that for the injuries to be caused to Mr Tomlinson by broken glass, the glass would have to be exposed rather than inside a plastic bag.

Overall, Ms Davidson says the theory that the bottle was inside a plastic bag is “far less likely” than if Duggan struck the victims with the exposed bottle.

GC “A swing into her neck with a bottle inside a bag, is that likely to have resulted in a blood flow into the neck of the bottle?”

LD: “If the bottle was inside a bag you would expect the blood to go onto the bag rather than onto the bottle itself.”

“The findings provide extremely strong support that it was the first alternative, that it was a bottle used by Stephen Duggan rather than a bottle inside a bag.”

That concludes Mr Coles questions.

14:20 Jonathan Humphries Proceedings back underway

The case has been called back on and Judge Holroyde has returned to the courtroom

The members of the jury have returned to their seats.

Mr Cole continues to question Ms Davidson about the bottle neck.

She says the blood from inside the bottleneck matched the blood of Alison Wilson.

Ms Davidson is asked about other samples of glass, which she says also contained blood stains.

Mr Cole asks about the metal collar from the top of the wine bottle, which also contained blood staining.

The jury are being shown photographs of the metal collar of the bottle.

Ms Davidson says DNA from Anthony Tomlinson was also found on the inside of the collar.

She says this means they could only have been deposited by the glass below being broken, exposing the inside surface of the collar to wet blood.

13:02 Jonathan Humphries Proceedings to resume at 2pm

Mr Justice Holroyde has adjourned the case for lunch, and proceedings will resume at 2pm.

12:59 Jonathan Humphries Blood stained glass

Mr Cole asks about the examination of fragments of glass recovered from the scene.

The first is from an area to the front right area of a Police Car parked on Frank Street when analysis took place.

There were approximately 30 pieces of glass sampled from that area, ranging from 1mm by 1mm up to 2.5cm to 1.6cm in size.

Ms Davidson says there was heavy blood staining on the road around the fragments, which meant it was impossible to say whether blood had transferred from the road to the fragments after the glass landed on the floor.

Mr Cole asks about glass fragments from another area, which included 17 separate shards of glass.

These included fragments from the neck section of a bottle.

Mr Cole asks if there was blood staining on the fragments.

Ms Davidson says there was heavy blood staining on the glass, but one had small fibres and a small piece of skin.

However the fibres were unable to be analysed further.

Mr Cole asks about a specific piece of glass which was found to be the very top of the neck of the bottle, where the screw cap fits on.

Ms Davidson says she was able to find blood staining on the inside of the bottleneck, indicating that blood had flowed through the top of the bottle, rather than having just come into contact with blood on the ground.

She says this means the blood had to have been flowing through the bottleneck while the bottle was off the ground.

Victim’s blood on defendant’s clothing Jonathan Humphries Victim’s blood on defendant’s clothing

Ms Davidson says the distribution of wine and blood staining on Mr Tomlinsons clothing was consistent with either the bottle containing wine smashing on impact with Mr Tomlinson, or an already broken bottle splashing wine and blood onto his clothing.

She says there was a widespread area of blood and wine stains on Mr Tomlinsons jacket and jeans.

Mr Cole asks about items relating to the defendant, Stephen Duggan.

Ms Davidson examined jeans, a coat and a hat.

The coat was examined under specialised lighting, and found examples of wine staining on the coat, as well as blood matching his own.

There were four small stains located on the hat matching blood from Alison Wilson.

On the jeans there were blood stains matching Alison Wilson around the waistband.

12:38 Jonathan Humphries Wine mixed with blood stains

The court hears that Ms Davidson was mainly concerned with identifying who blood found at the scene belonged to, and also the presence of wine from the broken bottle.

Mr Cole is asking Ms Davidson to explain the different ways blood can be transferred to different surfaces. Blood can drip down onto a surface, be transferred by a hand or other secondary method.

She says for blood to splatter, it would need significant pressure or to have been caused by the impact of a blow. Ms Davidson said that she would be looking for the presence of wine in the blood if the bottle was full when it was used to assault the victims.

She was given DNA samples from Miss Wilson, including blood stained clothes. Ms Davidson was also provided with a handbag.

Mr Cole asks if any wine was found on Miss Wilsons clothing. Ms Davidson says it was difficult to find the presence of wine on dark, blood stained clothing, but using lighting techniques they were available to find examples of possible wine staining on her handbag.

Mr Cole asks about blood staining on Mr Tomlinsons clothing GD: “There was very heavy staining on his jacket, making the jacket quite stiff in texture.” Miss Davidson says there was evidence of wine staining on Mr Tomlinsons jeans.

12:21 Jonathan Humphries Proceedings back underway

Judge Holroyde is back in court and the case is being called back on.

Mr Cole rises to clarify to the jury that the River Island jacket and polo shirt found at the scene were clothing that belonged to Mr Tomlinson, rather than Duggan or any other party in the case.

The next witness will be Geraldine Davidson. Ms Davidson is a forensic scientist specialising in the examination of body fluids at crime scenes.

She also analyses blood and other fluid for DNA evidence.

Ms Davidson says she had access to photos and logs from the scene, and pictures of the injuries sustained by Miss Wilson.

Ms Davidson says she was provided with pieces of glass from Mr Tomlinsons wounds and from the floor of an ambulance.

She was also provided with clothing belonging to Duggan.

11:52 Jonathan Humphries Cross-examination

Mr Birkett asks about the injuries to the mother who was carrying the baby.

Dr Rogers suggests a bruise to her eye was carried out by a punch.

Mr Birkett suggests the injury to Miss Wilson was consistent with the forward momentum of a broken bottle.

PB “Tragically, the area that the bottle hit was the area of the jugular vein?”

DR: “Yes.”

He asks Dr Rogers to confirm that the injuries to Mr Tomlinson were likely to be cause by more than one impact.

Dr Rogers agrees.

That concludes Mr Birketts questions.

Judge Holroyde asks whether Dr Roger meant a “light contact” by the term glancing blow.

Dr Roger suggests he was just trying to describe the motion that caused the injury.

That concludes Dr Rogers evidence.

Judge Holroyde has allowed the jury a short break.

11:50 Jonathan Humphries Injuries to the lower part of the face were caused by a bottle that was already broken

Mr Cole asks about the injury to Mr Tomlinsons forehead.

The case is paused for five minutes while some photocopies of a body map of Mr Tomlinsons injuries are provided

The paperwork has been provided and the court will resume.

Mr Cole asks again about the wound to Mr Tomlinsons forehead.

Dr Rogers says all of them are incised wounds, causing by sharp objects, measuring 1.3 and 1.6cm long.

The court hears the wounds were close together, and caused in the same impact.

Dr Rogers says Mr Tomlinson suffered five different wounds.

Mr Cole says the wounds were at the top of the head, and at the bottom of the face directly underneath the other wounds.

One of the wounds ran from the bottom lip, down unto Mr Tomlinsons chin.

Dr Rogers says this wound had “significant depth.”

Dr Rogers describes the largest wound to Mr Tomlinsons face, which measured 5.4cm.

Mr Cole asks whether the injuries to Mr Tomlinsons were caused by a bottle.

Dr Rogers says the use of a bottle was “entirely consistent” with the use of a bottle.

Mr Cole asks if the impact was caused by a bottle already broken.

Dr Rogers says there is no obvious bruising around the wounds to Mr Tomlinsons head, but he is unable to say whether the bottle was intact or smashed.

However he says the injuries to the lower part of the face were caused by a bottle that was already broken.

Mr Cole asks about two wounds that ran in separate directions.

Dr Rogers says the wounds could have been caused by different jagged edges of the same broken bottle.

Dr Rogers says the injuries are consistent with a broken bottle being pushed into Mr Tomlinsons face, but it is not the only explanation.

He says he favours the theory that the wound to the top of the head and the bottom of the face were caused by two separate impact.

That concludes Mr Coles questions.

11:21 Jonathan Humphries Cause of death “catastrophic” blood loss

Dr Rogers says it is difficult to say what caused the very small abrasions to Alisons face, and says he does not believe them to be relevant.

He says scratches to Alsons thumb were also not relevant.

Mr Cole asks the jury to look at a diagram of a human head, showing the position of the jugular vein.

Dr Rogers says it is difficult to examine the structures of the neck after surgeons battled to save her life.

He says that surgeons sutured the left jugular vein and a facial vein during exploratory emergency surgery after she was admitted to Whiston Hospital.

Dr Rogers says there was significant damage to the main jugular vein, and he believes it was “pretty much severed.”

He says the facial vein runs into the jugular vein.

The injuries would have let a “ catastrophic” blood loss, and needed a 14 unit blood transfusion. Dr Rogers describes this as a “significant amount.”

He says the abnormality in blood clotting is a regular side effect of major blood loss.

The cause of death was given as shock and haemorrhage, leading to circulatory collapse due to blood loss, caused by one incised wound to the jugular vein.

Mr Cole asks about the laceration to Mr Tomlinsons face, which went directly through his cheek.

Dr Rogers looked at pictures of Mr Tomlinsons injuries as part of his investigation into the cause of Alisons death.

He says he read an account by paramedics, stating that the wound was wide enough for them to see Mr Tomlinsons teeth and tongue.

11:08 Jonathan Humphries Wounds

The next witness will be Dr Brian Rogers, a Home Office approved pathologist who examined Alison Wilsons body.

Several of her family members have chosen to leave court due to the distressing nature of the evidence.

Dr Rogers carried out a post-mortem on Miss Wilsons body on March 14, the day after her death.

Mr Cole asks about Miss Wilsons medical records. He says the records showed she had lost a significant amount of blood loss and several cardiac arrests before her death.

Dr Rogers says the blood loss caused her circulation to collapse, leading to the cardiac arrests.

She was given a large amount of blood to try and save her life, and underwent surgery to the wound on her neck.

Dr Rogers: “When someone is bleeding very heavily they will often develop an abnormality in the blood clotting, because you are losing so much clotting product, the patient can then have real problems in the clotting of the blood.”

Dr Rogers says at some stage during the resuscitation procedure, the problems with clotting led Miss Wilson to have a stroke.

The court hears there were many signs of medical intervention, as well as the wounds caused by the bottle.

Mr Cole asks the jury to look at some diagrams, or body maps, showing the location of the injuries to Alisons head and neck.

Dr Rogers says there was large, ragged, “open skin defect” measuring five by four centimetres, below her left ear.

There was a large surgical incision where surgeons had operated on Miss Wilson.

Dr Rogers describes the wound as a “sharp force injury”, caused by a sharp object with irregular edges.

Mr Cole asks about the internal damage to Miss Wilsons neck.

Dr Rogers says there was no damage to the right of Alisons neck.

He says the lower two thirds of a large muscle in her neck hard been torn.

Dr Rogers says the internal jugular vein, which is the main vein draining blood from the brain and neck, was damaged by the wound.

There was a 3.5cm depth wound below the left jawbone, which was of “significant” depth to cause damage to the arteries in the neck.

Dr Rogers says this wound was a “focus wound”, meaning other than tiny scuff marks there were no other injuries other than the main injury to the neck.

Mr Cole asks what the wound was consistent with.

Dr Rogers: “I said originally it was consistent with being caused by the broken end of a bottle.”

Mr Cole asked about the mechanism of how that wound was caused.

DR: “To cause the extensive damage that was present, to the muscle and soft tissues, and the veins in the neck, in my view has to be caused of some form of irregular sharp object pushed into the neck in that position.”

GC “If we were thinking of a single piece of glass, is that likely to have caused this injury?”

DR “I considered this, and no, a shard of glass or fragment of glass is not likely to have caused this injury. This wound has an area to it around 5cm.

“A piece of glass would not be expected to cause a ragged hole, it would cause a sharper cut wound.”

Mr Cole asks if a piece of glass flying through the air could have caused it.

DR: “I would say that is not possible with this type of injury. I dont know about the size of th piece of glass but I think it would not have the sufficient momentum, speed, mass or velocity to cause that injury.

“If it struck you from a distance it might cause some scratches, or a puncture wound, but it is not going to cause a large ragged wound.”

10:42 Jonathan Humphries CSI investigator finds broken, bloodstained wine bottle

Mr Cole will now call a live witness, Mark Sidwell.

Mr Sidwell is a Crime Scene Investigation team leader at Cheshire Constabulary, based in Runcorn.

Mr Cole asks about events on the night of Alisons death.

Mr Sidwell arrived at the scene at 1.20am on March 8, when the scene had been secured by police cordons.

His role was to examine the scene and recover any items of interest. He was immediately able to see areas of blood pooling and blood splatter on the road.

GC: “The blood you were able to find was in effect a blood trail, by way of drips, from the road to outside number six?”

MS: “Yes thats correct.”

Mr Cole says outside number six was where Alison was sat down in a chair by local residents, and where the blood pooling was found.

Mr Sidwell highlighted areas of interest with yellow plastic markers.

There were pieces of broken, blood stained glass from an Echo Falls wine bottle on the road, confirms Mr Sidwell.

He took swabs from 10 different areas of blood staining.

Mr Cole is asking about specific swabs of blood splatter on the side of vehicles parked on the side of Frank Street.

He also asks about the location lass fragments, found on the road with bloodstains.

The metal collar, that goes around the neck of an Echo Falls wine bottle, was also found on the road.

Mr Cole says a blood-stained River Island jacket and a long-sleeved polo shirt was recovered from the scene.

The cap from the wine bottle was found from the bottom of the steps of a footbridge, over Frank Street, where Duggan was seen talking to a man called Mark Smith, who gave evidence yesterday.

That concludes Mr Coles questions.

Peter Birkett, QC, defending, will now ask some questions.

He asks Mr Sidwell to look at a photograph of the area that was cordoned off.

Mr Birkett asks about pieces of broken glass found underneath a police car, and whether these could have been broken by the police car going over glass.

Mr Sidwell says this is possible.

That concludes Mr Sidwells evidence.

10:20 Proceedings underway

Judge Mr Justice Holroyde has called for the jury. He will be joined by the High Sheriff of Merseyside, who takes responsibility for the high court judges sitting in his county.

Gordon Cole, QC, prosecuting will read some written statements.

The first is from Susan Laverick, who works at the Church View pub, visited by the victim and her boyfriend on the night of her death.

She says Anthony Tomlinson and Alison Wilson came into the pub, and they spoke throughout the night.

She says around 11.15pm, they told her they had ordered a Page Lane chippy, and were planning to leave in a taxi.

“Throughout the evening Alison and Anthony were happy and in good spirits, I wasnt working behind the bar but they were not drunk and they were well balanced.”

The next statement is from Joanne Howard, an emergency medical technician, which support paramedics in emergency situations.

She says she was requested to attend Frank Street, at around 23.37pm.

Upon arriving at Page Lane, she says she saw a babys dummy on the ground.

She said she could see Mr Tomlinson with severe lacerations to his cheek, chin and left eye.

She said: “Anthony was fully alert and stated he had five to six pints of alcohol, he was very worried about his partner.”

The next is from Imran Ansari, who was a medical registrar working out of Whiston Hospital.

He says Miss Wilson was brought into A&E “barely conscious, bleeding heavily and in shock.”

He says she twice suffered a cardiac arrest but recovered.

She was taken to theatre and surgeons found she had a cut to her a jugular vein.

Miss Wilson was taken to intensive care “gravely ill.”

The next statement is from Monica Humphries, a registered emergency nurse practitioner at Whiston Hospital.

She treated Anthony Tomlinson, who had facial lacerations, lacerations to his forehead, lip and chin.

He was referred to plastic surgeons to have the wound sealed.

10:19 Morning

I am in Liverpool Crown Court for day three of the trial of Stephen Duggan, for the murder of Good Samaritan Alison Wilson.

Stephen Duggan, 28, pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of the 36-year-old, from Widnes, but denies her murder on Saturday, March 7 this year

He is alleged to have thrust a broken wine bottle into Ms Wilsons neck after she tried to stop him attacking a woman in Frank Street, Halton View, Widnes.

Duggan, of no fixed address, has admitted assaulting the woman and wounding another her boyfriend, Anthony Tomlinson, 43, who was in a taxi with Ms Wilson.

However he denies assault on a baby who fell from a car seat, carried by the other woman.

Yesterday Mr Tomlinson described how he awoke from being knocked unconscious to find Miss Wilson holding her neck, already fatally wounded.

He was left with his cheek slashed open, leaving his teeth visible through the wound.

Doctors tried to save Miss Wilson but she died six days later in hospital on March 13.

Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/

A defence theory put forward by the killer of good Samaritan mum Alison Wilson was today described as “extremely unlikely” by experts.

Stephen Duggan, 28, of no fixed abode, is alleged to have smashed a bottle over the head of Miss Wilson’s boyfriend, Anthony Tomlinson, before thrusting it into Miss Wilson’s neck.

Liverpool Crown Court today forensic experts cast doubt on a defence claim that Duggan swung a plastic bag, which contained the bottle of Echo Falls wine.

He admits manslaughter, wounding Mr Tomlinson and assaulting another woman, but denies murder.

Miss Wilson, 36, and Mr Tomlinson were attacked after stepping out of a taxi to intervene in a heated row Duggan and a young mum carrying a baby in a car seat on March 7, in Frank Street, Widnes .

Forensic scientist Robert Lewis said the presence of around 300 tiny fragments of glass found on Mr Tomlinson’s clothes were consistent with the bottle being smashed over his head, outside of a carrier bag.

Under questioning from Gordon Cole, QC, prosecuting, he told the jury: “In my opinion the findings provide very strong support to the proposition that the Echo Falls wine bottle used in the assault on Anthony Tomlinson and Alison Wilson had not been contained in a carrier bag at the time it was broken.”

Another expert witness, forensic scientist Geraldine Davidson, said the presence of Miss Wilson’s blood on shards of broken glass, and on the inside of the bottle neck, meant it was likely there was no bag between the glass and Miss Wilson.

She said: “The findings provide extremely strong support[…]that it was a bottle used by Stephen Duggan rather than a bottle inside a bag.”

Peter Birkett, QC, defending Duggan, highlighted evidence from a taxi driver who said Duggan was holding a carrier bag containing what appeared to be bottles.

Appearing via video-link from Spain yesterday, she told the jury: “He then swung the bag at [Mr Tomlinson] but the momentum carried it round and it hit [Miss Wilson].

“I don’t know if it hit the man but it definitely hit the lady, and she went straight down. Then she got up holding her face.”

Both expert witnesses accepted they had not been provided with the taxi driver’s statement when conducting their investigations.

The court today heard how doctors battled to save the life of mum-of-two Miss Wilson, who suffered two cardiac arrests and a stroke due to massive blood-loss.

Mr Tomlinson has told the court how he was knocked unconscious by Duggan and awoke to find Miss Wilson holding her neck, with a look of shock in her eyes.

Duggan also denies assaulting the baby, who fell from the car-seat sustaining injuries to its face.

(Proceeding)

Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/

The disturbing criminal past of teenage murderer Jamie Smith was revealed after he was sentenced to life for a murder which shocked Merseyside.

The 21-year-old has been back before Liverpool crown court this week to admit an attack on a fellow inmate at Hindley prison near Wigan.

Back in 2007 he was aged just 13 when he savagely beat and kicked ‘helpless’ Stephen Croft, 35, to death and threw his body on a bonfire in Birkenhead.

His victim’s charred remains were found in the embers of a public bonfire in the early hours of November 6.

The following year Liverpool crown court was told that the previous evening Smith escaped from care workers trying to return him to a children’s home in Haslingden by breaking a car window and threatening to set off a firework.

"Trainers and tracksuit bottoms were splattered with blood"

He spent the night drinking with Mr Croft by the fire on wasteland near Whetstone Lane. By the end of the evening popular Everton fan Mr Croft, a skilled builder who turned to drink following an industrial accident in 2006, had been incapable of defending himself against Smith’s brutal and unprovoked attack.

When Smith returned to the family home in Birkenhead a relative contacted the authorities. Smith’s trainers and tracksuit bottoms were splattered with Mr Croft’s blood.

After Smith pleaded guilty to murder the court heard he had a lengthy record including eight convictions dating back to 2005 when he assaulted another youngster.

"Trauma, hospitalisation, assault and murder"

In 2007 he was placed under a supervision order for headbutting a boy and stealing his BMX bike.

It was said that aged six Smith lived on the former Ford Estate in Birkenhead and was traumatised after a gang of youths held him over a bonfire.

His father drank heavily and the boy was placed in care at the age of nine after a family member contacted Wirral’s Social Services.

He was housed in Croxteth and began to go to Liverpool city centre clubs associating with older gangs.

While being cared for back in Wirral he was hospitalised after taking four ecstasy tablets.

He was moved to Huddersfield where he was said to be frightened by boys telling him stories about the Moors Murders.

Aged 11 he was placed in Cumbria before he was moved after committing a robbery while back in Wirral.

In September 2007 he was moved to a care home in Haslingdon near Accrington. But after two weeks he began habitually absconding.

He had appeared before the courts just a week before the bonfire killing.

He said that in the weeks leading up to the murder Smith had become increasingly aggressive and on November 3, while on a day trip to Alton Towers, he assaulted another youngster before later turning on a care worker.

The next day he tried to flee the care home in Haslingden, near Accrington, but was taken back – but on the night of November 5 night he escaped again and went on to murder.

Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/

A man admitted causing the death of a Norris Green dad-of-two by dangerous driving.

Adam Holme, 24, was driving a white Volvo V70 when it crashed into a black Ford Focus driven by 65-year-old William Tillston on November 30 last year.

Mr Tillston – known as Bill by his family and friends – died at the scene on the junction of Long Lane and Sandy Lane, Fazakerley.

He had been driving home with his 52-year-old wife when the incident happened at around 1.30am.

Mrs Tillston was treated in hospital for shock and minor injuries.

Holme, of Wardgate Avenue, West Derby, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court today where he admitted causing death by dangerous driving.

Scene of overnight fatal head-on crash on Long Lane, Aintree/Fazakerley.

Members of Mr Tillston’s family attended the brief hearing to see Holme enter his guilty plea.

Judge David Aubrey adjourned the case for a pre-sentence report.

The judge said Holme would be sentenced on December 4 and remanded him conditional bail.

Speaking after the tragic incident, Mr Tillston’s family said they were “absolutely devastated” by his death.

Clare Pengilley, believed to have held the pensioner’s hand after the crash, posted on the Liverpool ECHO’s Facebook page: “It was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do, he didn’t die alone and I know he could hear me talking to him as he was squeezing my hand till he passed.”

His nephew Ste Tillston said: “Thanks people for the kind words as a family we all appreciate it.

“I’m glad someone was with Bill when he passed. It’s times like this when you realise how cruel the world can be but also times like this you realise that there are a lot of decent people still living on this planet too.”

Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/

Three men were today jailed for a total of more than 18 years for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.

The sentencing today at Liverpool Crown Court followed an investigation by Merseyside’s specialist Matrix Serious Organised Crime team.

During the investigation officers recovered a quarter of a kilo of cocaine, with an estimated street value of up to £12,500, along with £2,500 in cash, a quantity of benzocaine and drugs paraphernalia.

Alistar Brady-Jacobs, 27 years of Greenock Mews, Widnes, was sentenced to eight years six months after being found guilty of conspiracy to supply cocaine.

Neil Cannon, 30, of Larne Court, Widnes, has been to sentenced five years four months after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine.

Steven Woods, 36, Westminster Avenue, Bootle, has been sentenced to five years after being found guilty of conspiracy to supply cocaine.

Officers have issued a photograph of Daniel Burdett, 24, of Railside Court in Kirkdale, as they believe could have information which could help them in connection with this investigation.

DCI Andy O’Connor said: “The sentencing today reinforces our commitment to tackling those involved in the supply and distribution of Class A drugs on our streets.

“We will continue to pro-actively target dealers who think nothing of flooding the streets with drugs in order to line their own pockets and profit from other people’s misery.

“Drugs blight communities and are behind a host of other crimes on Merseyside including acquisitive crime and gun crime. No one wants their children or grandchildren to be targeted by dealers, who don’t give any consideration to the consequences of their actions.

“If residents do know anyone who is dealing in their community they should continue to take a stand and make the streets of Merseyside safer. Anyone with information is asked to call the Matrix team on 0800 230 0600, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.”

Three men have been sentenced to more than 18 years in prison over conspiracy to supply cocaine. More than £2,500 cash was recovered following an investigation by the specialist Matrix Serious Organised Crime team.

Officers involved in the investigation are also appealing for the whereabouts of Daniel Burdett, 24, of Railside Court, Kirkdale, who may have information relating to this investigation.

Anybody who has information about Mr Burdett’s whereabouts is asked to contact the specialist Matrix team on 0800 230 0600, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/

The killer of Good Samaritan Alison Wilson told a court he could not recall slashing her throat with a broken wine bottle.

Stephen Duggan, 28, of no fixed address, has admitted manslaughter but denies murdering the 36-year-old mum-of-two in Frank Street, Widnes, on Saturday March 7.

Miss Wilson and her boyfriend Anthony Tomlinson, 43, were attacked as they stepped out of a taxi to intervene in a heated row between Duggan and a young mum carrying a baby in a car-seat.

Duggan admits wounding Mr Tomlinson and assaulting the other woman, but denies a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm on the baby, which fell to the pavement sustaining facial injuries.

Giving evidence at Liverpool Crown Court today, he denied holding a bottle of Echo Falls red wine when he lashed out at Mr Tomlinson.

Under questioning from defence counsel Peter Birkett, QC, Duggan said he had been arguing with the woman holding the baby when Miss Wilson approached.

He said: “The male and a female came over, and the female started grabbing the car seat. And then I noticed the baby on the floor.”

Mr Birkett asked what happened next.

Duggan said: “I pushed Alison, I punched (the other woman), and then I saw a male walking over so I hit him.”

Earlier the court heard Mr Tomlinson was knocked unconscious and his cheek was cut open leaving his teeth and tongue visible through the wound.

Miss Wilson suffered a wound to the left side of her neck, severing her jugular vein and causing “catastrophic” blood loss.

Duggan described “swinging” at Mr Tomlinson, but claimed he did not have the bottle in his hand.

Mr Birkett asked: “Did you at any time hold the bottle as a weapon?”

Duggan replied: “No, never.”

Liverpool Crown Court

He described being “seven out of 10” drunk at the time of the incident, after drinking two bottles of Desperado lager and some wine at his father Gary Duggan’s house, while celebrating getting a new job.

However he was asked to leave after an argument with his father’s partner Julie Gwilliam.

Under cross-examination from Gordon Cole, QC, prosecuting, Duggan said he had become “obnoxious” after the argument, but denied being aggressive.

He claimed he could not remember a bottle smashing, or what happened to Mr Tomlinson after he lashed out.

Mr Cole asked: “That bottle was used on Mr Tomlinson, but it was used on Alison Wilson as well?”

Duggan said: “Not by me[..] not deliberately.”

Earlier the court heard a transcript from Duggan’s police interview, in which he claimed he could not remember causing the injuries to Miss Wilson.

He told officers: “Someone has died, she was a mum. I am just shocked, I can’t believe two lives are ruined. How can you go out celebrating a new job one minute, and the next a woman is dead and you’re in jail? So many questions, so many what ifs.”

(Proceeding)

Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/

Two firms were ordered to pay out more than £600,000 after two workers were dragged to their deaths at the Sonae woodchip factory in Kirkby .

James Bibby, 25, and Thomas Elmer, 27, died when a conveyor belt at the plant began moving while they were carrying out maintenance work in December 2010.

Prosecutors said Sonae Industria and Metso Paper Limited – the contractor the men worked for – were responsible for “numerous, wide-ranging and systemic” safety failings.

Sonae and Metso – now known as Valmet Limited – appeared for sentencing at Liverpool Crown Court after admitting breaking health and safety laws.

Judge Graham Morrow, QC, fined Sonae £220,000 and told the company to pay £107,000 towards court costs.

The judge fined Valmet Limited £190,000 and ordered the firm to also pay a £107,000 contribution towards court costs.

The two men, who were both from Rossendale in Lancashire, died as a result of multiple injuries.

The pair were chosen to replace a worn section of machinery, which required working at height above the conveyor belt.

The conveyor was meant to have been isolated from its power source, but this did not happen.

James Bibby, left, who died at Sonae, with brother Jason.

Nigel Lawrence, QC, prosecuting, said there were “systemic” safety failures at Sonae and that “no safe system of work” was in place.

No risk assessment was completed by Sonae or Metso for the two men before they carried out the maintenance work.

The court heard a general risk assessment, dated October 2008, “was neither suitable nor sufficient”.

Control measures, called ‘permits to work’, were left completely blank before being issued to contractors on the day.

Mr Lawrence said the “position on the ground was one of utter confusion” over what type of isolation was needed, and who should carry it out.

Stuart Denney, defending Sonae, was accompanied in court by Brian Heyes, a former finance boss who is now the company’s chief executive.

Mr Denney said: “We wish to offer a heartfelt apology for what took place and our part in it. It can’t do more than scratch the surface of the hole that has been left, but it is sincere and genuine.”

He said the firm had carried out a general risk assessment and method statements for the job.

Mr Bibby’s mum Beverley told the court : “I don’t think me and his younger brother Jason will ever get over James’ death.

Thomas Elmer, who died at Sonae, with partner Rachel Sutcliffe.

“No mother should have to feel like this every day.”

Mr Elmer’s dad David said: “Everyone loved and respected him and his death was a huge shock to the community.”

His younger sister Rossana Hesketh added: “The thing I miss most of all is when he put his arms around me and made me feel like the world was okay.”

Production at the plant was stopped in 2012 by its Portuguese owners, with the loss of more than 200 jobs.

Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/

A Maoist cult leader faces the prospect of dying in jail after being found guilty of sexually assaulting two women and imprisoning his own daughter in the commune for 30 years.

Aravindan Balakrishnan, 75, known as Comrade Bala, carried out a "brutal" campaign of violence and "sexual degradation" against the women over several decades.

He brainwashed his followers into thinking he had God-like powers, and invented a supernatural force known as "Jackie" who, he said, could trigger natural disasters if his will was flouted.

After fathering a daughter with one of his acolytes, he kept her a prisoner in their London home for three decades.

Beaten, banned from singing nursery rhymes, going to school or making friends, his daughter described herself as a "shadow woman" who was kept like a "caged bird".

The woman, who cannot be identified for legal reasons but is being named Fran, today said she was "overwhelmed with relief" after his conviction for imprisoning her, adding: "I believe justice has definitely been done. I am very happy with the result and at the end of the day he is still my dad."

She fled in 2013 with the help of a charity. She was 30-years old.

She had escaped eight years earlier in 2005, but was sent home by police because it was a bank holiday, the trial at London’s Southwark Crown Court heard.

Describing life inside the commune, she said: "I felt like a caged bird with clipped wings. Like a fly in a spider’s web. Just really helpless and powerless."

Balakrishnan, of Enfield, north London, was found guilty of six counts of indecent assault and four counts of rape.

He was also convicted of two counts of ABH, cruelty to a child under 16, and false imprisonment. He was cleared of one count of ABH and one count of indecent assault.

Grey-haired Balakrishnan looked ahead stone faced as he listened through a hearing loop as the guilty verdicts were read out.

But Josephine Herivel, one of his former followers, shouted across the courtroom floor: "You are sending an innocent man to prison. Shame on you."

Judge Deborah Taylor said Balakrishnan faces a "substantial custodial sentence".

The pensioner denied the abuse, and insisted the women vied for his affection and he treated his daughter with compassion.

But the court heard he used his charisma and radical politics to prey on women.

The left-winger came to Britain from Singapore in 1963 and enrolled at the London School of Economics – well known during the 1960s for its radical student movement.

By the 1970s he was at the helm of a communist group known as the Workers Institute and based in Acre Lane in Brixton, south London.

He gained a number of followers, but as time went by his influence "waned" and the group dwindled to just six women.

Described in court as a "Jekyll and Hyde character", Balakrishnan turned his Communist commune into a "cult of Bala" where paranoia and fear became the order of the day.

His followers were only allowed to read left-wing texts, spied on each other, and were sexually assaulted and beaten by Balakrishnan.

He convinced them he could control people’s minds and would "scrub them clean of the bourgeois culture and lifestyle".

One of the women, Sian Davies – who was the mother of his daughter – suffered fatal injuries when she fell from a window at the cult’s home on Christmas Eve in 1996.

The aftermath of the horrifying incident was witnessed by the 13 year-old girl, who was unaware at the time that "Comrade Sian" was her mother.

Giving harrowing evidence at the trial, his daughter told how she was bullied and beaten over 30 years for minor transgressions such as singing Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.

She found comfort and courage in the stories of Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings – the only books she was allowed to read.

Police said Balakrishnan’s victims endured years of "torment and torture".

Detective Sergeant Paul Wiggett, the investigating officer, said it was a "completely unique" case and he said Comrade Bala’s daughter was so terrorised by her father she "genuinely believed the day she left the house she was going to explode – that her life would come to an end".

Balakrishnan was remanded in custody to be sentenced on 29 January 29.

Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/

A fraudster stole the identity of a beautiful young American woman to cheat men, including serving police officers, on internet matchmaking sites.

Jacqueline Whittle, 50, from Southport, spun a web of lies to entrap her victims, including serving and retired policemen, and even told one man who had a brain tumour that she needed cash for emergency cancer treatment.

She had doubly duped the man as he had fallen for another of her fake profiles on the ‘uniform’ dating website and he ended up forking out a total of £14,483 on the two non-existent women.

He used his critical illness payout to pay for her “cancer operation” and then had to take out a large loan to pay off his divorce settlement.

Jacqueline Whittle, 50, of Hampton Road, Southport, jailed for three years following “callous frauds” of men she conned money out of online by stealing the profile picture of a beautiful American woman and getting them to fall in love with her.

Liverpool Crown Court heard that another victim was a retired policeman who fell in love with Whittle, who claimed to be a nurse in Southport using a false surname and the stolen Facebook photograph of a woman in America.

David Watson, prosecuting said: “He described himself as falling in love and believed she felt the same way. Although they never met he even sent her £220 to pay for a wedding dress as he believed the couple were getting married.

“He had come across her on a website dedicated to raising money for injured soldiers and she put her fake photo into an auction on the site so the winner could get a date.

“He sent her £680 to pay for a non-existent school trip for her daughter, vets and phone bills, petrol to visit him in Portsmouth and the installation of a Sky TV package and altogether lost out by £1,650.”

“Callous frauds”

Whittle, of Hampton Road, Southport had a suspended prison sentence hanging over her for benefit fraud at the time of the offences and had previous fraud convictions.

Jailing Whittle for three years today Judge Anil Murray said they were “callous frauds.”

He said: “You are a dishonest and deceitful person. You set up false profiles to dupe people out of money, people who were lonely and wanted companionship, and I’m sure this was your intention from the outset.”

Jacqueline Whittle, 50, of Hampton Road, Southport, jailed for three years following “callous frauds” of men she conned money out of online by stealing the profile picture of a beautiful American woman and getting them to fall in love with her.

Jobless Whittle pleaded guilty to defrauding five men and also tricking a woman into sending her £360 for an iPhone which she never sent her. Police investigated payments into Whittle’s account from other suspected victims but no charges followed.

Judge Murray said that her lies, which also included saying she and her daughter were struggling to pay bills, “deceived them into sending you money and you gave false reasons which would tug at the heart strings of honest and compassionate people.”

He said the victims had been left embarrassed and ashamed and the woman whose Facebook photograph she had been using was also embarrassed.

He pointed out that she was even continuing to lie in her probation report before the court.

She continued “to string him along by sending naked photographs”

Mr Watson had told the court that the total amount involved was £15,754 and the offences occurred in 2011 and 2012.

One victim said he was normally very careful about sending people money but he trusted her. He sent her cash so she could visit him but she kept putting him off with lies and eventually had texts sent to him claiming she had died.

The serving police officer who lost the greatest amount having being tricked by the two fake profiles had also paid for an allegedly missing return flight ticket from New York, paid for council tax, replacement car tyres, a £600 car and a holiday in Tunisia.

She continued “to string him along by sending naked photographs” purportedly of one of the women he believed he was communicating with.

Whittle told another man, whom she had also met on the uniform dating site, that she had become ill with a brain tumour and sent him a photograph of a head with an operation scar and he was tricked out of £850 to pay her household bills.

Nick Archer, defending, said “she has low self-esteem” having been on dating web sites using her own photograph with no response.

But Judge Murray did not accept that and said she had set them up to deceive people.

Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/

Three men were today jailed for a total of more than 18 years for conspiracy to supply Class A drugs.

The sentencing today at Liverpool Crown Court followed an investigation by Merseyside’s specialist Matrix Serious Organised Crime team.

During the investigation officers recovered a quarter of a kilo of cocaine, with an estimated street value of up to £12,500, along with £2,500 in cash, a quantity of benzocaine and drugs paraphernalia.

Benzocaine was recovered following an investigation by the specialist Matrix Serious Organised Crime team

Alistar Brady-Jacobs, 27 years of Greenock Mews, Widnes, was sentenced to eight years six months after being found guilty of conspiracy to supply cocaine.

Neil Cannon, 30, of Larne Court, Widnes, has been to sentenced five years four months after pleading guilty to conspiracy to supply cocaine.

Steven Woods, 36, Westminster Avenue, Bootle, has been sentenced to five years after being found guilty of conspiracy to supply cocaine.

Officers have issued a photograph of Daniel Burdett, 24, of Railside Court in Kirkdale, as they believe could have information which could help them in connection with this investigation.

DCI Andy O’Connor said: “The sentencing today reinforces our commitment to tackling those involved in the supply and distribution of Class A drugs on our streets.

“We will continue to pro-actively target dealers who think nothing of flooding the streets with drugs in order to line their own pockets and profit from other people’s misery.

“Drugs blight communities and are behind a host of other crimes on Merseyside including acquisitive crime and gun crime. No one wants their children or grandchildren to be targeted by dealers, who don’t give any consideration to the consequences of their actions.

“If residents do know anyone who is dealing in their community they should continue to take a stand and make the streets of Merseyside safer. Anyone with information is asked to call the Matrix team on 0800 230 0600, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.”

Three men have been sentenced to more than 18 years in prison over conspiracy to supply cocaine. More than £2,500 cash was recovered following an investigation by the specialist Matrix Serious Organised Crime team.

Officers involved in the investigation are also appealing for the whereabouts of Daniel Burdett, 24, of Railside Court, Kirkdale, who may have information relating to this investigation.

Anybody who has information about Mr Burdett’s whereabouts is asked to contact the specialist Matrix team on 0800 230 0600, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/

The killer of Good Samaritan Alison Wilson smashed a wine bottle over her boyfriend’s head before slashing her neck “in a deliberate act,” claimed prosecution lawyers.

Liverpool Crown Court heard Stephen Duggan, 28, “lost his temper” before knocking 43-year-old Anthony Tomlinson unconscious and severing 36-year-old Miss Wilson’s jugular vein, causing “catastrophic blood loss.”

The couple had stepped out of a taxi to intervene in a heated row between Duggan and a young mum carrying a baby in a car-seat, when they were attacked in Frank Street, Widnes , on Saturday March 7.

Gordon Cole, QC, prosecuting, said to Duggan today: “This was a deliberate act, you used the bottle as a brutal, lethal weapon, and you used it and left a man with severe injuries, and a woman to die didn’t you?”

The defendant replied: “No I did not.”

"Just a reaction” that happened “in the blink of an eye"

Duggan, of no fixed address, has pleaded guilty to manslaughter, wounding Mr Tomlinson and assaulting the other woman, but denies murder.

He also denies assaulting the baby, who fell from the car-seat to the pavement sustaining facial injuries.

Duggan told the jury today that he pushed Miss Wilson, punched the other woman to the face before turning and seeing Mr Tomlinson approaching.

He said he “swung” his arm at Mr Tomlinson in a right-hook type motion, fearing he was going to be attacked.

But Mr Cole suggested Duggan had “lost his temper” after the baby fell to the floor.

Duggan denied losing his temper, and said the blow to Mr Tomlinson was “just a reaction” that happened “in the blink of an eye.”

The court heard fingernail swabs taken from Duggan’s right hand after his arrest contained traces of Alison Wilson’s blood.

"You just lost your temper and you hit people with a bottle"

Mr Cole suggested this meant his hand would have to have been near her neck when she was fatally wounded.

Asked how the blood got there, Duggan replied: “I don’t know.”

The court heard prior to the incident Duggan had left his father Gary Duggan’s flat, where he had been celebrating getting a new job, after an argument with Mr Duggan’s partner Julia Gwilliam.

He told the jury he had taken a bottle of Echo Falls red wine from the kitchen in a carrier bag, and headed down Frank Street, before getting into an argument with the woman.

The defendant frequently answered Mr Cole’s questions with “I don’t know” and could not explain where the bottle was when he struck out at Mr Tomlinson.

He denied it was in his hand and suggested: “It must have been in the carrier bag around my wrist, or about my person.”

He claimed not to remember the bottle smashing, or Mr Tomlinson falling to the floor after the blow.

Mr Cole asked: “How do you believe Alison Wilson came to her injuries?”

Duggan replied: “I can’t comment on that.”

Mr Cole referred to the evidence of taxi driver Philip Horrocks, who had been driving Miss Wilson and Mr Tomlinson.

Mr Horrocks said he saw Duggan turn round and begin to unbutton his jacket, before Mr Tomlinson was knocked to the ground.

Mr Cole suggested Duggan had the wine bottle in an inside pocket, and removed it to use as a weapon.

He said: “You just lost your temper and you hit people with a bottle when it was solid and pieces of a bottle when it was broken. And this about a bottle in a carrier bag is nonsense isn’t it?”

Duggan replied: “No.”

(Proceeding)

Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/

A man who smashed the window of a Norris Green pawnbrokers with a hammer and stole a £3,000 gold bracelet was jailed for more than two years.

Jamie Green, 24, raided the Albemarle Bond store in Broadway on Thursday, July 23 this year, before fleeing on a scrambler bike with an unidentified man.

Liverpool Crown Court heard how Green, of Wapshare Road, Norris Green, was the passenger on the black and white motorbike.

Philip Astbury, prosecuting, said two men dressed all in black pulled up outside the shop at around 4.10pm.

He said staff tried to get the metal shutters down as Green repeatedly hit the window with the hammer, and were “showered with broken glass”.

Green made off with an 18-carat gold curb bracelet, valued at £3,038.

The Albemarle Bond pawnbrokers on Broadway, Norris Green, that was targeted by raiders who used a hammer to smash a window and steal a bracelet

But the bungling crook cut himself during the raid and his DNA was identified from blood left on broken glass. He refused to name his accomplice.

Mr Astbury said staff were unharmed but left shaken by the incident.

Green was also sentenced over an incident on Friday, May 29 this year, when he was pursued by police after he was spotted driving in a stolen Audi Quattro car at around 3pm.

The court heard he drove at speed down Childwall Valley Road, running red lights, going the wrong way around a roundabout and eventually drove the wrong way along Allerton Road.

He and a friend eventually jumped out of the vehicle and he was found by police hiding behind a parked car. Nobody was injured during the chase.

The defendant, with a large mop of curly ginger hair and wearing a tracksuit top in court, admitted burglary and dangerous driving.

Green said he did not realise the car was stolen and that when he was asked to drive it he chose a friend he trusted, even though he was prevented from associating with him under the terms of an ASBO.

He claimed that he had been forced to raid the pawnbrokers and to drive the car because he owed money to people, who he would not name.

Green said he had been threatened by these people and he was worried about his and his mum’s safety.

Judge Elizabeth Nicholls accepted that he was in debt and had worried about his family’s safety, adding that he was “not one of life’s leaders”.

But the judge said she did not believe he had been forced into committing either offence and sentenced him to 26 months in prison.

Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/

A prolific burglar from Anfield who once knocked himself out on a plant pot after trying to escape from one of his victims has been jailed again.

Gerard Sanders, 32, of Utting Avenue, Anfield, was jailed for 40 months at Liverpool crown court in relation to a burglary in the Southport area. Sanders is already well known after knocking himself out on a plan pot after jumping out of a bedroom window in Formby.

The drama began when Sanders was spotted climbing over a fence and going inside a home in Andrew’s Close.

The home owner, who was weeding his garden, went inside to investigate after a neighbour tipped him off.

Sanders then decided to leap from a bedroom window.

The two Formby neighbours found him lying on the driveway, and immediately contacted the emergency services.

Sanders, who has a lengthy criminal record, woke up to find himself surrounded by police officers and was arrested at the scene before spending the night in hospital.

He later pleaded guilty to attempted burglary and burglary.

In 2011 Sanders was found with stolen goods in Bootle which police linked to a burglary on Harrod Drive in Birkdale.

Sanders, was stopped by officers on Washington Parade in Bootle for a routine check.

The Anfield man was carrying an iPod, digital photo frame and digital camera.

He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 26 weeks in prison.

In 2013 Sanders was jailed again stealing £500 worth of jewellery from a house in Formby.

The 72-year-old home owner had hold of his leg at one point, although Sanders managed to break free. He was later tracked down through DNA evidence.

Brendan Carville, defending, said that it had been an opportunistic offence.

“As a burglar he is totally incompetent and inept. At the age of 30 he needs to change his trade.

The Southport Neighbourhood police team tweeted: “Gerard Sanders, aged 32 from, Liverpool sentenced to 40 months imprisonment for burglary offences including Cromer Road in Southport.”

Sanders was jailed for 40 months on December 2 at Liverpool Crown Court on one count of burglary.

Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/

A man involved in a cash raid in Liverpool’s Chinatown today admitted a robbery outside a Wirral supermarket.

Leslie Aitchison, 38, last week admitted the offences of robbery and possession of an imitation firearm in relation to an incident in Nelson Street on July 20.

Police said two security guards were refilling a stand-alone cashpoint when two masked men threatened them with a handgun and stole a box containing cash.

The robbers were said to have made off in a grey Vauxhall Insignia up Duke Street, towards Upper Parliament Street.

Aitchison, of no fixed address but believed to be from the Kensington area, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court this morning via video link from HMP Liverpool.

He pleaded guilty to another charge of robbery, relating to an incident at a Tesco store in Eastham on May 9 this year.

The defendant, with short black hair and wearing a grey sweatshirt, spoke only to confirm his personal details and enter his guilty plea.

John Rowan, defending, said: “This is a matter where an immediate custodial sentence is inevitable.”

Two other men, Spencer Benjamin, 43, and Ian Porter, 46, deny the three charges.

Benjamin, of Solway Street West, Toxteth, and Porter, of Longborough Road, Prescot, will stand trial on January 18 next year.

The trial is expected to last five days.

Judge Anil Murray said Aitchison will be sentenced at the conclusion of the trial.

The judge has remanded all three men in custody.

News updates throughout the day in our live feed here

Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/

Video loading

Astonishing footage has emerged of the moment two drug dealing thugs attacked a police officer in broad daylight at a public car park.

Police car dash-cam footage shows the officer following Kalvyn McGimpsey and Liam Elms, who had driven from Merseyside to North Wales to sell more than £5,000 worth of cannabis.

The North Wales police officer, PC Meurig Jones, is seen approaching the pair in a car park in Menai Bridge, Anglesey.

He searches McGimpsey, 24, Ardrossa Road, Anfield , and find a small amount of cannabis on him.

Police dash cam still of PC Meurig Jones stopping two men from Liverpool and found cannabis worth more than £5,000 in their car before they attacked him

Off camera, PC Jones then reaches for a black bag in the foot well of the blue Lexus but McGimpsey grabs it and the pair wrestle for control.

Elms, 32, of Chigwell Close, Croxteth , then puts the officer in a headlock and drags him to the ground.

Although the officer manages to hold on to Elms while he desperately radioed for help, McGimpsey was able to make his escape with the bag.

It emerged later he frantically knocked on homes in the area, asking for residents to hide him in exchange for cash.

The residents refused, and at 2.45pm one concerned homeowner called the police.

Police dash cam still of PC Meurig Jones stopping two men from Liverpool and found cannabis worth more than £5,000 in their car before they attacked him

Shortly afterwards, the fugitive was found in scaffolding in a nearby block of flats and the bag, with 548g of herbal cannabis in, was found in a wheelie bin.

McGimpsey and Elms were subsequently tried at Caernarfon Crown Court, where a jury heard that PC Jones needed hospital treatment after the assault on January 10 this year.

Police dash cam still of PC Meurig Jones stopping two men from Liverpool and found cannabis worth more than £5,000 in their car before they attacked him

Jailing the pair for a combined 46 months for assaulting a PC and conspiracy with intent to supply cannabis, judge Niclas Parry said: “You drove from Liverpool to North Wales with the sole intention of selling drugs.

“Likely you thought North Wales as a soft touch but there has been a concerted effort to clamp down on high quality drugs bring brought into the region from both Liverpool and Manchester.”

Chief Inspector Darren Wareing from North Wales Police said after the sentencing: “The officer in this case was merely doing his job and while the nature of policing carries some risk, assaulting a police officer is totally unacceptable.”

Kalvyn McGimpsey – sentenced to 16 months for assaulting a PC and conspiracy with intent to supply cannabis and Liam Anthony Elms – sentenced to 30 months for assaulting a PC and conspiracy with intent to supply cannabis.

A spokeswoman for North Wales Police said she did not know how the video, entitled “Dash Cam Footage of Police Assault – Liverpool , Scousers”, found its way on to YouTube.

She said that the footage had not been released by the force.

Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/

A drunken thug who broke his girlfriend’s jaw in two places with a powerful punch was jailed for 18 months.

Michael Critchlow, 29, hit Marie Irvine so hard during a row at their home in Bradley Road, Litherland that her jaw was broken on both sides of her face.

Liverpool Crown Court heard how Critchlow – who has a previous conviction for assaulting his mum – had spent the night drinking with a friend.

Mandy Nepal, prosecuting, said his partner woke up and went downstairs at around 7.45am on November 7 this year.

Her son had returned after working a night shift and wanted to go to bed, so Miss Irvine asked her boyfriend to stop making so much noise.

Miss Nepal said she told him “you should be at work” to which Critchlow replied: “f*** off”.

The defendant and his pal started arguing before Critchlow went upstairs and his partner followed him.

While in Miss Irvine’s bedroom, Critchlow stood up and punched her once to the face.

Exterior shot of Liverpool Crown Court in Derby Square

The court heard she went to the Royal Liverpool Hospital and needed an operation to insert metal plates to hold her jaw together. She also required seven stitches.

Miss Nepal said the mum was still suffering from numbness to her jaw but her condition was said to be improving.

Critchlow, with short black hair and wearing a black sweatshirt, appeared via video link from HMP Liverpool.

He pleaded guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm.

Nicholas Archer, defending, said his client had pleaded guilty at the first available opportunity.

Judge David Aubrey, QC, said he was in no doubt that alcohol had played a role in the offence.

He said drinking might be an issue for Critchlow, but it was an aggravating feature as far as the seriousness of the crime was concerned.

Judge Aubrey said: “You punched your partner and caused her a serious injury. That serious injury resulted in fractures to both sides of her jaw.

“It was a single punch but undoubtedly it must have been a forceful punch.”

Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/

Former Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers and his estranged wife Susan have agreed a settlement after becoming involved in a dispute over money in a family court, a judge has been told.

Lawyers representing Mrs Rodgers told Judge Martin O’Dwyer that an agreement had been reached at a private hearing in the Central Family Court in London today.

No detail of the dispute or the settlement was revealed.

Both Mr and Mrs Rodgers were in court but neither made any comment after the hearing.

At a hearing in May a judge was said to have made a ruling on the amount of maintenance Mr Rodgers, 42, should pay to his former spouse.

Susan Rodgers, the estranged wife of former Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers

Details were released at the time by Vardags, the law firm representing Mrs Rodgers.

A spokeswoman for the firm said the Rodgers’ relationship had broken down.

She said the couple had been together for more than 20 years and married for more than 10 years.

Lawyer Catherine Thomas added: “Susan is saddened that after a relationship spanning 24 years she had to go to court to secure sufficient maintenance from her husband.”

Rodgers, originally from County Antrim, is now in a relationship with Liverpool FC’s former travel manager Charlotte Hind.

The pair were pictured earlier this year on holiday in New York and at a birthday party for Reds star Martin Skrtel.

She was a regular guest at in the directors box at Anfield before Rodgers was sacked as manager in October.

Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/

A teenage drug dealer who hid hundreds of pounds of cocaine and heroin inside himself when caught by police was locked up for four years.

Officers spotted Max Donovan, 18, handing a package to a woman in Belmont Drive, Anfield on July 4 this year, before going into an alleyway to complete the deal.

Liverpool Crown Court heard how Donovan, of no fixed abode, inserted something inside himself when police approached him at around 10.20am.

Mike Stephenson, prosecuting, said the defendant had “a very busy phone”, which was “constantly ringing”, and was carrying £240 in cash.

Donovan was arrested and doctors removed a ball of cling film from his person, which contained 2.57g of heroin, in 20 wraps, and 4.79g of cocaine, in 45 wraps.

The court heard the drugs had an estimated street value of up to £680.

Donovan, with shaggy blonde hair and wearing a bright blue jacket in the dock, started dealing drugs again while on police bail.

Mr Stephenson said he was observed in the front passenger seat of a Renault Clio in Rocky Lane, Anfield on October 29, when he was approached by a known drug dealer.

Officers stopped and searched him and four mobile phones were recovered, along with £684 in cash, but Donovan again secreted the drugs.

He was kept under observation and later passed a package containing 4.74g of heroin in 46 wraps, and 3.85g of cocaine in 43 wraps, with a total street value of around £890.

Donovan admitted four counts of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs. He has no previous convictions.

Augustine Iro, defending, said his client had become addicted to cannabis and after running up a £500 debt, was forced to “work off” the balance by dealing the drugs.

He said: “He lived with his sister. Those he owed money to threatened to cause extreme damage to his sister’s home and he feared injuries could be caused to her.”

Judge David Aubrey, QC, sentenced Donovan to four year’s detention in a young offenders institution.

He said: “Class A controlled drugs cause untold harm and untold damage to those who become addicted to them or to those who use them recreationally.”

Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/

A Woolton woman slapped a policeman in the face before saying: “I’m sorry, it was worth it though.”

Paula Higham, 31, was arrested for criminal damage after ripping up a wedding book belonging to her partner’s daughter on September 26, Liverpool Magistrates’ Court heard.

Higham, of Heath Close, was due to be sentenced today after earlier pleading guilty to criminal damage, assaulting a police officer and sending a menacing communication, but the case was adjourned due to a lack of information on the defendant’s living arrangements.

Lionel Cope, prosecuting, said victim Naomi Gilham and the defendant had previously fallen out after Ms Gilham claimed to have found drugs belonging to Higham at her father’s house.

He told the court: “On September 26 the complainant received numerous calls from her father’s mobile phone. She answered and Miss Higham immediately made threats to chop her up and burn her house down.”

Ms Gilham and Higham were involved in an argument later that evening at the complainant’s father’s address which ended with Higham destroying the wedding book and throwing the torn pages out of a bedroom window.

Mr Cope said: “She was arrested and at the custody suite PC Ian Kenny cautioned her for criminal damage. The defendant then got to her feet and slapped PC Kenny, connecting with his left shoulder and the left side of his face.

“She then said I’m sorry, it was worth it though.”

A victim impact statement from Ms Gilham said her relationship with her father had broken down as a result of the incident, and she felt afraid to open her doors or windows due to the threats.

She also said she had been the carer for her father, who uses a wheelchair after being severely injured in a work-place accident.

Higham sobbed in the dock as the details of the offence were read to the court.

The court heard Higham was jailed for 16 weeks last year for assault.

District Judge Wendy Lloyd adjourned sentencing until December 21.

Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/

Two teenagers appeared in court today after a student was allegedly robbed at knifepoint in Liverpool city centre .

Theo Maulba, 19, and a 15-year-old boy who cannot be identified for legal reasons, were arrested after Gary Borthwick allegedly had an Armani watch and an iPhone 6 stolen.

Maulba, of Franklin Road, Leasowe, and the boy, from the Walton area, appeared at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court today charged with robbery.

Mr Borthwick was confronted at the junction of St George’s Place and St John’s Lane, in the city centre, at around 6am on Sunday (December 6).

Both defendants indicated they would plead not guilty to the charge.

The case was passed to Liverpool Crown Court where the pair are due to appear on January 4.

Maulba was remanded in custody while the 15-year-old boy was released on conditional bail.

Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/