Thug jailed for horror attack near festival
ADRUNKEN thug repeatedly stabbed his victim in a horrifying attack yards away from a music festival full of children.
Colin Howard, 43, left Maghull man Stuart Newton, 40, with life changing injuries after the attack at SonFest music festival in Southport in July.
During a three day trial at Liverpool Crown Court in December, Howard, of Royal Terrace, Southport, admitted wounding with intent, but denied attempted murder.
He was cleared of attempted murder, but convicted of possessing a bladed article in a public place and was jailed at Liverpool Crown Court on Monday for 11 years, extended for four years on licence.
Howard was also in breach of a 10-week sentence, suspended for 12 months on February 15, for threatening behaviour towards his ex-partner which involved him kicking the door of her home.
Howard knifed Mr Newton in the neck and stomach during two attacks, yards from the music festival, at about 3.40pm on Saturday, July 13 last year.
Emergency services found the victim lying on the ground opposite the Royal Clifton Hotel on Southport Promenade with multiple stab wounds.
Paul Becker, prosecuting, said Mr Newton could be seen clutching his neck on CCTV footage after the attack.
He suffered a number of stab wounds and later had to have his spleen removed as a result of his injuries.
The court heard how he was told by medical professionals that he could have died if he had not got help when he did.
Paul Becker, prosecuting said: “He’s recovered well but remains at risk of infections as a result of the spleen being removed.”
In a victim impact statement, read out in court today, Mr Newton said: “I no longer have any immune system so I’ve had to have immunisations again.
“It takes me a lot longer to shake off illnesses. It took me two weeks to shake off a cold which in the past would have been a couple of days. I’ve had difficulty sleeping, I’ve had dreams about what happened.”
Arthur Gibson, defending, said that Howard had shown remorse for his offences during the trial and his guilty plea should be taken into account during sentencing.
Sentencing Howard, Judge Driver QC, said: “You caused serious injury, you did so by the use of a weapon.
“You are a dangerous offender. There is a significant risk that you will commit future specified offences.”
The judge said there were a number of aggravating features, including the location of the attack which took place in broad daylight in a public place and in front of a number of passers-by.
Howard has a number of previous convictions spanning from 1996 to 2019, including a 12-month prison sentence for arson in 2014.
He was also in breach of a 10-week sentence suspended for 12 months on February 15, for threatening behaviour towards his ex-partner, kicking the door of her home.
Howard was jailed for 11 years, extended for four years, and a 10-year restraining order, during which time he cannot contact Mr Newton directly or indirectly.