FOUR CLEARED OF MURDER AND MANSLAUGHTER AS MAN DIED AFTER A ‘LONG-STANDING FEUD’

Group guilty of violent disorder and offensive weapon charges

FOUR people threw fireworks and brandished weapons at a rival group shortly before a man lost his life after being hit by their car.

Dean Condliffe, aged 26, Jordan Parker, aged 23, Alex Boult, aged 22 and a 17-year-old who cannot be named for legal reasons were in a white Seat Ibiza which Condliffe drove up and down

Palatine Drive, Chesterton, on the evening of October 31 last year.

They were ‘embroiled in a feud’ with a family who were having a party, and they wanted to ‘attract their attention’.

Someone in the car threw fireworks on to the lawn. Boult, wearing a balaclava, leant out of the car and waved a machete. And one of the other passengers also held a similar weapon out of the window.

But the car later struck 24-yearold Jake Taylor, above, on Loomer Road, Chesterton, which led to him suffering catastrophic injuries. He died two weeks later in hospital.

Condliffe, of Newchapel Road, Kidsgrove, Parker, of Second Avenue, Kidsgrove, Boult, of Newchapel Road, Kidsgrove and the juvenile all denied murder and manslaughter.

All four were cleared of both charges by a jury after a trial at Stafford Crown Court on Friday.

However, they pleaded guilty to violent disorder and possession of an offensive weapon at an earlier hearing.

Judge Kristina Montgomery sentenced Condliffe and Parker to eight months in prison. The 17-year-old was handed a six month detention and training order, and Boult was sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended for 12 months, with a rehabilitation activity requirement for 30 days and a one month electronicallymonitored curfew from 8pm to 6am.

Prosecutor Michael Matherlees QC said the defendants being in possession of weapons was an aggravating feature. He said there was a degree of planning, and the defendants caused ‘serious fear and distress’.

Charles Miskin QC, mitigating for Condliffe, said: “The events with which we are now concerned were as a result of a longrunning and hostile feud over personal relationships. It was characterised on both sides by provocative and posturing behaviour but no actual violence.

“The offensive weapon was not actually used. A few people were frightened by the fireworks.

“The violent disorder lasted a short time and amounted largely to threatening, gesturing and the showing of the machete or machetes.”

Philip Bradley QC, representing Boult, said her father has been diagnosed with a terminal illness.

He said: “She was responsible for some anti-social and completely unacceptable behaviour.” But he said her sentence could be suspended as she has shown a positive side to her character, and with help and guidance could be a positive member of society.

Paul Bogan QC, for Parker, said he was in the back of the car and played a ‘subordinate role’.

He said: “He accepts he was present, encouraging the conduct that took place around him, the throwing of fireworks and the brandishing of weapons.

“He himself did not participate directly in that conduct. His conduct can properly be regarded as an aberration.

“He is committed to getting his life back on track. He has now spent seven months in custody and that has taught him a significant life lesson.”

Andrew Fisher QC, representing the juvenile, said the case has ‘shaken him up big time’.

He added: “It has made him realise he does not want to spend the rest of his life in and out of police stations and prisons.”

Judge Montgomery QC said: “It resulted from a long-standing feud between yourselves and members of a family and their friendship group.

“There was considerable traffic between yourselves and the family in the weeks leading up to October 31, 2020.

“The traffic was antagonistic, provocative and designed to cause distress.

“All of you bear responsibility for the events on Palatine Drive. Each of you chose to step into a vehicle which was driven up and down the road. You wanted the occupants of the house to know you were there.

“What happened next could have been avoided but for your behaviour that night, but you are not criminally responsible for it.

“But I have no doubt that the events of that night will weigh so heavily on the (rival) family and the family of the deceased, and will be part of your guilt conscience and your reflection on that evening for many years to come.”