Man jailed for his part in attack on homeless man in St Helens

Liam Porter, of Phoenix Brow, Fingerpost, was given a prison term as he appeared before a Liverpool Crown Court judge last Tuesday.

His co-defendant Zach Dowling, 27, of Winter Grove, Parr, who had been convicted of assault causing actual bodily harm (ABH) following a summary trial in the magistrates’ court, and of using threatening words and behaviour, was jailed for nine months on June 14 this year.

Porter, who was also convicted, did not attend court that day and was sentenced at the court on August 13.

CCTV footage played to Liverpool Crown Court during Dowling's sentencing hearing showed Porter and his co-defendant launching the “unprovoked” assault on their vulnerable victim in the street in St Helens town centre.

A judge had branded the assault, which happened on Church Street shortly after 6am on June 23 last year, as one of “gratuitous” violence, during June's hearing.

The victim was a “homeless man sleeping rough in St Helens town centre”.

Liam Porter was jailed (Image: Merseyside Police)

In the June hearing, prosecutor Gerald Baxter said: “During the assault numerous kicks and punches are delivered by Porter but Dowling can be seen assisting by his close presence”.

The court heard Dowling “throws” the victim to the floor at one stage.  

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“The Crown is satisfied the two defendants are equally guilty,” Mr Baxter added.

Judge Mr Recorder Michael Blakey had described the assault as one of “gratuitous” violence on a “defenceless vulnerable man".

Liam Porter was jailed at Liverpool Crown Court (Image: St Helens Star)

He said “it was completely and utterly unprovoked violence” adding, “it seemed to me to be sickening violence”.

The judge added that "to make matters worse" both defendants had been drinking.

Porter, 36, was given a jail term of 11 months and two weeks in total at his sentencing.