Thugs targeted vulnerable man in 'Quentin Tarantino style' attack over £200

29 August 2023 , 21:48

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Ryan Gildea was among those appearing before the court for sentencing (Image: Liverpool Echo)

A group of thugs subjected a vulnerable man to a "Quentin Tarantino style revenge" attack, attempting to chop off his thumb and little finger.

Four culprits targeted the cuckooing victim in his own home armed with garden secateurs before he took himself to hospital and later told police officers he was "terrified" during the ordeal. He'd been forced out of his flat in the Fairfield area of Liverpool for several months so it could be used to supply Class A drugs prior to the attack in February.

Liverpool Crown Court heard on Tuesday the victim - who was himself in debt of around £200 - attempted to return to his property to collect some personal items. What occurred was "totally out of kilter with the balance of debt", said Prosecutor Trevor Parry-Jones.

Jordan Needham (Merseyside Police)

Jodie Hewitt (Merseyside Police)

Appearing before the court for sentencing was Ryan Gildea, 40, Jordan Needham, 33, Jodie Hewitt, 31, and Loretta Clinton, 33, who were all in the flat at the time, reports the Liverpool Echo. The court heard that there was an "indication a drug dealer wanted to see his finger amputated" after Gildea received a phone call.

Mr Parry-Jones said the flat had been "taken over" for the last 12 months and that Gildea was the "leading man". When the victim returned to pick up his belongings he was "grabbed by his neck" and Gildea attempted to remove his little finger with the weapon, shouting "he's coming here, he wants your finger."

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The prosecutor added that there was "blood everywhere" as Hewitt then attempted to sever his thumb, despite struggles from the victim. The court heard how the four were arrested but during interview, Gildea kept "pretending to be asleep" and Hewitt said it "never happened".

Loretta Clinton (Merseyside Police)

A victim personal statement read out to the court heard that the man has now been forced to move out of the area and still suffers with nerve pain from the assault. He has trouble sleeping and has flashbacks as he added he hopes the group "get what they deserve". Described as the "leading man", Gildea, of White Rock Street, has previous convictions including for manslaughter and affray. Defence Counsel Mr Callum Ross said: "This is a defendant who has shown now, I say now because it's a late stage, has shown some remorse.

"He will pay the price now no doubt with a prison sentence." Mr Ross added that Gildea was himself a drug user and had his "own debt to pay" and was instructed by someone else to cause injury to pay off some debt. Judge Recorder Lamb said there was "some degree of planning" and the "victim was clearly vulnerable and utterly reliant" on the group. Gildea was given a custodial sentence of 81 months with an extended sentence of 39 months, meaning a total of 10 years.

With "a considerable record", Recorder Lamb told Gildea he would serve two thirds of his sentence before parole "considers you are safe to release". Defence counsel for Hewitt, Jo Maxwell, said she was a "different" person now and has been able to "free herself from a life of addiction". She added she has been "keen and successful" in tackling her substance use after turning to drugs as a coping mechanism in 2019.

In his sentencing Recorder Lamb said the victim had been left "terrified" and there was an "indication a drug dealer wanted to see his finger amputated". He added there was damage to soft tissue meaning stitches were needed. Addressing Hewitt, of Romer Road, he said "you were second in order of priority of those involved." He added she was "aware of his vulnerability" and has recent convictions involving drugs. Giving 10% credit for a guilty plea on the day of trial to a Section 18, Hewitt was given a total sentence of 64 months, of which she will serve half.

Needham, of Alt Street, was said to have shown "genuine remorse" as the court heard he has "deep trenched drug issues" and has had "very, very dark times in his life." He was given a total sentence of 54 months in custody after credit for a previous guilty plea. The court heard that Clinton pleaded guilty on the day of trial to an alternative offence of wounding and admitted to "playing a more limited role". Clinton, of Fraser Street, was said to have carried out a "highly impulsive action" and has "little recollection" of the incident. Recorder Lamb said there was a "realistic prospect of rehabilitation" as he ordered Clinton to serve 21 months in custody, which had been reduced due to her earlier guilty plea. All four were also given a restraining order of 10 years.

Aaliyah Rugg