Gang jailed for violent attack

Date published: 29 July 2008

Five thugs who beat a man unconscious and left him for dead have been sentenced to a total of 15 years behind bars.

Gemma Stafford (born 02/06/1990), of Hilltop Drive, Kirkholt was sentenced to 18 months after pleading guilty to violent disorder and theft. She received nine months for each offence to run consecutively.

Four other offenders were sentenced on Thursday 19 June 2008 at Bolton Crown Court.
Stuart Peter Shaw (born 18/05/1988), of Bridge Street, Heywood, was sentenced to four years after pleading guilty to section 47 assault and violent disorder.

Andrew Neil Harbourne (born 09/10/1988), of Clever Street, Burnley was sentenced to four years after pleading guilty to violent disorder and section 47 assault.

Joshua Paul McErlean (born 07/07/1989), of Bury Road, Rochdale was sentenced to four years after pleading guilty to causing section 47 assault and violent disorder.

A 17-year-old boy was sentenced to 18 months youth detention after pleading guilty to section 47 assault and violent disorder.

At 5.45am on Saturday 15 March 2008, the 27-year-old victim was walking home through Rochdale town centre and onto Yorkshire Street when he came across a group of youths.

The group started to argue with him and he pretended to use his mobile phone to call for help to try and stop them from pursuing him.

As he walked away Stafford led the group, following him and shaking her hand in front of her face in an aggressive gesture.

The group then surrounded him and Harbourne threw the first punch into the back of the victim's head. Shaw then punched him in the side of the head, which caused him to lose balance.

He soon fell to the ground after being repeatedly punched and kicked by the five offenders and was knocked unconscious.

Shaw, Harbourne, Mcerlean and the 17-year-old continued to punch, kick and stamp on the victim's head, as blood started to pool around his head.

Three of the group ran off leaving the victim unconscious and bleeding. Stafford and Shaw stayed behind, with Stafford rifling through the victim's pockets, stealing money and cigarettes. She also turned the victim over, searching for more money with no regard to the victim's injuries.

While Stafford stole from the unconscious victim, Shaw continued to kick the victim's head.

As Stafford and Shaw began to leave, Shaw took one last running kick at the victim's head.

They then left him for dead.

One member of the group, who played no part in the physical attack returned to the victim around three minutes later to check on him. Stafford returned with him but it was clear from the CCTV footage that she wanted to leave.

When the police arrived, callous Stafford blatantly lied to the officers, claiming she was an innocent bystander who was concerned about the victim. Police soon saw through her lies and she was later arrested, however she continued to maintain her innocence about her involvement in the attack and the robbery of the victim.

After she was shown the CCTV footage of the attack, she changed her account.

Shaw claimed he did not remember the attack or what happened in the time leading up to it, blaming alcohol for his memory loss.

The three other offenders made no comment.

The victim was taken to hospital but suffered only minor injuries.

The whole incident was caught on CCTV, which due to the clarity of the footage assisted the officers in identifying and tracing the offenders involved.

Detective Sergeant Lee Johnson of Rochdale CID said: "This was a vicious and unprovoked attack and it is only by sheer luck the victim wasn't permanently injured.

"The ferocity of the blows to his head could have caused serious and lasting damage. Their actions were sickening to watch and is mindless violence at its worst.

"The group were prepared to lie their way out of it, Stafford in particular who only decided to change her account when she was faced with CCTV footage.

"I am pleased to see these thugs have been brought to justice for their callous behaviour and the victim can start to put the incident behind him.

"This case also helps to show how valuable CCTV and the quality of the footage has been a major assistance in putting these yobs behind bars."