Tom Hilton Jay Slater, Open-Minded With Machete To Avoid Incarceration

In a shocking incident in August 2021 near the Old Paper Mill in Hermitage Street, Rishton, eight teenagers brutally attacked 17-year-old Tom Hilton with a machete, an ax and a golf club. The attack left Hilton with severe head injuries, an open skull, as well as injuries to his shoulder and leg. Although the attack was serious, the teenagers received community prison sentences instead of prison sentences.

Court procedures

The trial at Preston Crown Court revealed that Hilton had gone to the factory, a popular meeting place for local teenagers, in search of a teenage girl when he was chased by a group of boys. Hilton described his attackers as “like a group of gorillas.” The group of eight surrounded Hilton and attacked him with weapons and fists, encouraged by each other. Judge Philip Parry emphasized the group’s collective responsibility for the violence.

Judge’s comments

Throughout the trial, the teenagers displayed disrespectful behaviour, laughing and joking in court. Judge Parry expressed his disapproval, stating, “I have to bear in mind that most of you were children when you committed these offences. I say very, very clearly that all eight of you have behaved in a disgraceful manner.” He condemned their involvement in violent disorder, witness intimidation, drug supply and street robbery, urging them to be ashamed of their actions.

Community sentence

Despite the severity of the attack, Judge Parry chose a restorative approach, sentencing the teenagers for violent disorder and other offences, including witness intimidation, attempted robbery and conspiracy to supply class A drugs. He noted that if they were convicted of the more serious offense of causing harm under section 18, they would face youth detention. Instead there are sentences like the following:

  • Danny Yakub, 18, of Blackburn Road, Great Harwood: 18 months community order with 25 rehabilitation activity days and 180 hours unpaid work.
  • Connor Armstrong, 19, of Christ Church Street, Accrington: Two-year community order with 35 rehabilitation activity days and 200 hours unpaid work.
  • James Meagre, 18, of Tinker Brook Close, Oswaldtwistle: Two-year community order with 25 rehabilitation activity days and 200 hours unpaid work.
  • Davis Hargreaves, 18, of Plantation Road, Accrington: Two-year community order with 35 rehabilitation activity requirement days and 200 hours unpaid work.
  • Kane Taylor, 20, of Ripon Road, Accrington: Placed under house arrest for 18 months with 25 days of rehabilitation activity and 150 hours of unpaid work.
  • Jay Slater, 18, of Fountains Way, Accrington: Placed under house arrest for 18 months with 25 rehabilitation activity days and 150 hours of unpaid work.
  • A 16-year-old man, who cannot be named for legal reasons: youth referral order for 18 months with 18 months supervision, 91 days of activity, four-month curfew and an intervention plan.
  • A 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons: 18-month youth referral order with 18 months supervision, 91 activity days, three-month curfew and intervention plan.

Judge’s warning

“Today will be a life-changing or life-defining event for all of you,” Judge Parry told the teenagers. “You have all had the opportunity to go in the right direction and abide by the law.” He noted the relief felt by their families and supporters in the courtroom, who had been expecting a prison sentence. He urged the young offenders to grow up and use this opportunity to turn their lives around.

Future implications

The sentence imposed by Judge Parry reflects faith in the potential for rehabilitation and hope that these young individuals will abandon a life of crime. However, the leniency of the sentence has sparked debate about the appropriateness of community orders for such a violent crime. The attack on Hilton highlights the need for effective measures to tackle youth violence and ensure justice for victims.

Call for change

The case highlights the importance of addressing the underlying issues that lead to such violent behavior in adolescents. Community support, effective recovery programs and strict law enforcement are critical in preventing similar incidents in the future. The sentences of these eight juveniles serve as a reminder of the challenges in the juvenile justice system and the need for continuous evaluation and improvement to ensure both justice and recovery process.

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