Advertisement
Cowardly thugs brought to justice
Reporter: BEATRIZ AYALA
Date online: 28 October 2009
A PAIR of teenage thugs from Limeside who launched an unprovoked attack on a man in the street have been sentenced.
Mark McNamara (17) of Farm Road, and Jordan Fitzpatrick (18) of Higher Lime Road, both pleaded guilty at Manchester Crown Court Crown Square to causing grievous bodily harm and possessing offensive weapons.
On June 12 their 36-year-old victim started talking to the pair in Lime Green Road, Limeside.
After a short time, they started arguing and McNamara pulled out a screwdriver and his accomplice pulled out a lock knife.
The pair then attacked the man, slashing his arm.
The victim ran to his car. Police were called and arrested Fitzpatrick and McNamara.
McNamara was yesterday sentenced to a total of 12 months detention and training.
He was also given a five-year Asbo, which will ban him from entering Limeside.
Fitzpatrick was sentenced to a total of 51 weeks detention, suspended for two years.
He was also ordered to undertake an 18-month training programme and must do 150 hours unpaid work.
PC Andy Pickering, of the Hollinwood and Limeside neighbourhood police team, said: “McNamara and Fitzpatrick behaved like cowards on the day they attacked their victim.
“Fortunately he was not seriously hurt, but I’m sure that frightening experience will stay with him for a very long time.
“For someone so young, McNamara has a very long criminal record for a host of offences, including burglary and breaching Asbos.
“The custodial sentence he’s received today has served to remove a prolific offender from the streets of Limeside and Hollinwood.
“I also hope it sends a strong message of deterrence to others who might be tempted to behave in a yobbish manner that knife crime and anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated.
“There’s only one place for you if you decide to lash out at people with a weapon and that is behind bars.”
Comments
well blue bird, I dont know Mark McNamara but you are absolutely right. The law in this country stinks and it favours the criminals who are wrapped up in cotton wool for serious crimes, yet the innocent law aiding ppl are made to feel like they have done something wrong. Its not acceptable and totally out of order.
I have had someone steal my post and money and i have all the evidence and guess what, i get fobbed off by the law, however i bet if i did that id be banged up. No wonder ppl have lost respect for the law,
"I also hope it sends a strong message of deterrence to others who might be tempted to behave in a yobbish manner"
What a complete joke.
Considering all the publicity there has been recently about knife crime I am very surprised that the sentence is so lenient! When are the Courts/police/CPS going to get a lot tougher with these thugs???? It should be a five year MINIMUM sentence for even carrying a knife these days. The old saying the law is an ass is so true.
How come when the police actually do "get a result" there are still negative people? Unfortunately, the law is an ass, but it is not the police who actually dish out the sentences - it's the courts, give them the grief and lay off the cops!
Have Your Say
Its about time Mark McNamara was brought to justice for his crimes. He has terrorised limeside for many years now and he has got away with it for way to long. I am one of his victims, who never saw justice for what he did. The courts should have locked him up years ago, ASBO's have never stopped him from doing these crimes. I think the sentence should have been a lot longer looking at his past record
By blue_bird @ 28/10/2009 13:49:11