Pair jailed over 'outrageous' spree of violence in St Helens

Jack Woosnam and Daniel Statham assaulted one man in a taxi and then a second victim in the middle of the street, only an hour later.

Liverpool Crown Court heard on Tuesday (May 16) that Woosnam used a “broken bottle” as a weapon on a man in the taxi, before both men launched a “savage” and “sustained” attack in the street, which included the victim being kicked, punched and stamped on.

Woosnam, 23, had pleaded guilty to wounding with intent to cause GBH in relation to the taxi attack, while Statham, 32, admitted to common assault.

Meanwhile, both men pleaded guilty to affray over the street attack and to criminal damage of a car during this incident.

Judge Recorder Michael Blakey said “these offences are so serious that only an immediate custodial sentence can be justified”.

'Broken bottle' used as weapon

Prosecuting, Peter Killen, told the court that on the night of December 1 last year, that the first victim “had been out at the Circus Bar” in St Helens.

He added: “At about 11pm when on his way home he ordered a taxi which he got into on New Cross Street.

“As the driver was manoeuvring, three men tried to get into the taxi. One of the men who got in was Woosnam, the second hasn’t been identified.”

He added the third man was Statham, who was “leaning in” to the vehicle from outside.

Mr Killen continued: “Inside the cab an unidentified male punched (the victim) in the face.

“Woosnam had possession of a bottle that was broken, and went on to strike the left knee of (the victim), causing deep cuts.”

Mr Killen said the taxi driver drove the “short distance” to the office and the police were contacted.

However, Woosnam and Statham “weren’t immediately detained” and carried out their next attack only around an hour later shortly after midnight.

The pair were sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court (Image: Stock)

Mr Killen said: “The police were called to the (affray) incident initially, and found a man injured on Gaskell Street.

“Woosnam and Statham were both detained nearby” and both were also “subsequently arrested for the earlier offence.”

The court heard that the second victim “refused to make a formal complaint”.

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During the street attack, Statham was shouting ‘you burnt my van out’.  

Shocking CCTV footage was played to the courtroom showing footage of both violent incidents to the court.

Mr Killen said that in a police interview, Statham “couldn’t really remember the night before because he was assaulted.”

Daniel Statham (Image: Merseyside Police)

He said he’d carried out the second assault “because that male was responsible for smashing a window at his home address and burning out his van two weeks before.”

Meanwhile, Woosnam said he was “drinking and had taken cocaine”.

In relation to the bottle attack, he said to police he was “sickened and shocked by his actions and didn’t want to continue to watch the CCTV in the interview.”

Mr Killen told the court that Woosnam has three previous convictions for seven offences, including common assault in 2018.

Meanwhile, Statham has 14 convictions for 29 offences, including common assault, driving offences and harassment.

Jack Woosnam (Image: Merseyside Police)

'Your behaviour was outrageous'

Passing sentence, Judge Blakey said only an immediate prison term could be justified.

He said that the victim of the street assault was “attacked in a savage way. Both of you were attacking him, both of you were kicking him, both of you stamped on him”.

The judge added: “Your behaviours on this occasion (were) outrageous. Your drinking and one of you taking drugs is at the heart of this incident.”

Judge Blakey said to Statham “whether or not somebody set fire to your van previously, that can provide no excuse whatsoever for what you subsequently did”.

A police cordon on Gaskell Street, Parr after the attack (Image: Merseyside Police)

Woosnam, of Surrey Street, Haydock, was sentenced to three years for the bottle attack and a further 12 months consecutive for the affray, with no separate penalty for the criminal damage, making a total sentence of four years.

Statham, of Pollitt Crescent, Clock Face, was also given a 12-month term for affray and one month concurrent for common assault for his role in the taxi incident.

Defending Woosnam, Kate Morley said her client “hasn’t displayed token remorse, he is genuinely remorseful” and said his “upbringing” in which there was “violence from his father” to his mother “provides some understanding” for his behaviour.

It was said following a “relationship breakdown” he had “suffered from anxiety and depression” and had “reached a real low”.

Defending Statham, Stuart Mills said he has an “issue with binge drinking” and that “is something he needs to address”.