Judges reject killer’s appeal over sentence
A MAN formerly from Runcorn jailed for at least 22 years after killing a young mum-oftwo with a broken wine bottle in Widnes has failed in his bid for a shorter sentence.
Stephen Gary Duggan, 29, thrust the bottle into 36-year-old Alison Wilson’s neck after breaking it on the head of her partner, Anthony Tomlinson, 42.
The unfortunate couple had intervened in an argument between Duggan and another woman who was carrying a baby on Frank Street in Widnes in March last year.
Duggan was convicted of murder and GBH last December and was caged for a minimum of 22 years at Liverpool Crown Court.
He took his case to the Court Of Appeal in London on Tuesday, October 25, in a challenge to his minimum jail term.
But three sen- ior judges took only a few minutes to reject the ‘unarguable’ appeal bid.
Upholding the sentence, Lord Justice Fulford, Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb and Judge Peter Collier QC said the killer got what he deserved.
Lord Justice Fulford said: “A young mother who was motivated only by a desire to save the baby from harm was needlessly killed.
“And terrible scarring and injury were inflicted on a young man who was involved for identical reasons.
“Duggan used extreme violence on two people who were intervening for the most public-spirited reasons.
“He drove a broken bottle into the head of one and the neck of the other.
“He left Alison Wison bleeding to death as he made his escape.”
The court heard the killing occurred after Duggan left a family gathering in an angry mood and carrying a bottle of wine.
Miss Wilson and Mr Tomlinson became involved when they saw him in a tug-of-war with a woman over a baby in a child car seat in Frank Street.
When the baby fell, Duggan snapped, striking Mr Tomlinson with the bottle of wine, before thrusting it into Miss Wilson’s neck. ●