A fugitive captured on a Walton rooftop after carrying out a brutal burglary which left a drug dealer brain-damaged was today jailed for almost 18 years.
Karl Allen, 23, suffered “life-changing” injuries after a gang broke into his house in Woodrock Road, Woolton on August 7, 2013.
His heart stopped beating for several minutes following the horrific stabbing, leaving him confined to a wheelchair and in need of 24-hour care.
Four men have now been sentenced for a total of more than 67 years in prison at Liverpool Crown Court for conspiracy to commit aggravated burglary.
Stephen McCoy, 23, formerly of Rice Lane, Walton, and Lee Montague, 22, of Moss Street, Garston , were jailed last month for 17 years and 16 years respectively.
But John Paul McCoy, 28, of Day Street, Old Swan , was found guilty in his absence after failing to attend the second trial.
He was arrested by police after finally coming down from the roof of a house in Church Road, Walton, following a nine-hour stand off on November 5 .
Police raided a house leading to McCoy fleeing onto the roof in heavy rain at around 7.30am.
A cordon was put in place and he eventually came down at around 4.30pm.
On November 11, McCoy admitted a breach of bail.
Today, he was sentenced for the attack on Mr Allen alongside Ryan Burrell, 22, formerly of Park Road, Toxteth .
McCoy was sentenced to a total of 17 years and 11 months for conspiracy to commit aggravated burglary, assaults on two police officers and for breach of bail.
Ryan Burrell, described by the judge as a “prolific house burglar”, was sentenced to 16 years and four months for conspiracy to commit aggravated burglary and two counts of contempt of court.
Judge Robert Trevor-Jones said the planned attack had a “considerable” and “ongoing impact” on Mr Allen, who is now described as being “almost childlike”.
Stephen McCoy, jailed for 17 years and four months
He told the two defendants: “This was clearly targeted, you were all disguised, your vehicle was disguised and you were armed.
“Of course it was premeditated that Karl Allen would be at home.
“Karl Allen remained in intensive care for four weeks. He has suffered brain damage, is restricted to a wheelchair and is totally dependent on others. He is now described as being almost childlike.
“He suffered life-changing injuries, both physically and psychologically.”
McCoy, who has 26 previous convictions including a number of burglaries and assaults, was also being sentenced for a previous assault on two female police officers.
Today prosecutor Barbara Webster described how McCoy “lashed out” and “flailed his arms”, causing the female police officer to fall to the ground.
Paul Thompson, defending, said McCoy acted “in panic” when approached by a plain-clothes police officer, and that it was an “instinctive reaction” which he “regrets”.
But Judge Robert Trevor-Jones called the attack “utterly brutal”.
Detective Chief Inspector Robbie Slater said: “This was an horrendous attack on a young man who should be enjoying his life and going out with his friends. Instead, he suffered life-changing injuries and he and his family have been having to come to terms with the fact that he has been robbed of his future.”
Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/