Thug jailed after stabbing boy, 15, with machete in 'revenge' mission for stepdaughter

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A thug has been jailed after he stabbed a 15-year-old boy with a machete as he sought "revenge" for his stepdaughter.

Shaun Wilkinson plunged the gruesome weapon into the side of the fleeing teen after he confronted the youngster at his own home. This came after the victim had fended off a "mob" of bullies who earlier congregated outside the address as they seemingly sought to harass his sister. His assailant chillingly told the teenager's mum "just ask anyone about me" and threatened to burn down their house before launching his vicious attack, reports the Liverpool Echo.

The complainant's sister had previously been bullied at school before a group of girls attended the property on Park Street in Liscard, Wirral, on August 10 this year, Liverpool Crown Court heard. Wilkinson's stepdaughter was among this number, who were said to have been "intent on bullying or worse".

Jamie Baxter, prosecuting, told how the girl's brother then went outside their home with a dog in order to "effectively see off the group of girls" and "protect his home and his sister". The incident was subsequently reported to the defendant, who then placed a machete inside a rucksack and walked around half a mile to the scene.

Upon arrival, Wilkinson knocked at the door and spoke to the boy's mum through an upstairs window. The 31-year-old threatened to burn down the house at this stage and added: "Just ask anyone about me."

The victim then appeared at the side of the property, to which Wilkinson responded by drawing the weapon from with the bag. The teen attempted to flee by jumping over a wheelie bin, but his attacker "chopped down" with the machete, which has never been recovered by the police, as he did so and caught him to the right-hand side of his body.

The teen suffered a "grave injury" as a result and had to undergo surgery on his 8cm by 4cm wound, with the blade having penetrated 3cm within his torso. The boy was discharged from hospital the following day and has since "recovered well".

Wilkinson has a total of 56 previous convictions for 142 offences - including robbery and possession of a bladed article in a public place as a youth, a 22-month sentence for attempted robbery in 2013, two years for burglary and robbery in 2014 and possession of a bladed article in 2018. The latter appearance included an occasion where he was found with a machete in prison.

Although the hearing had to be adjourned due to due to a lack of court time, he was due to appear before the same court for sentence last week. This prompted an angry outburst in which Wilkinson told a judge: "I'm not coming back. I'm not a**ed. I don't give a f***. Give me 10, 20 years. I'm not bothered."

Nicola Daley, defending, addressed these comments by her client today, Tuesday, telling the court: "The defendant wishes for me, at the outset, to apologise to the court for the way he behaved on the link last week. He got very cross and irate."

Judge Denis Watson KC replied: "He did, but I don't have a long memory". Ms Daley added: "He was very concerned. It was the first thing he raised with me.

"The defendant is still only 31 years of age. It is obviously a serious offence. Obviously there is some aggravation for the fact of the defendant's previous convictions.

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"The defendant is going to spend a long time over the next few years of his life in prison. He knows that, and I simply ask your honour to take that into account.

"He is a man who has family commitments. That does not give any justification, but your honour has heard why he believed he was there. He was there because his stepdaughter had been subject to some sort of issue. He should not have done what he did."

Wilkinson admitted wounding with intent, possession of a bladed article in a public place and two counts of theft. Sentencing, Judge Watson said: "You made a choice to confront him. He is 15.

"In spite of his youthful, athletic vault over the wheelie bin, you were quick enough not only to arm yourself with the machete but to raise it. As he vaulted the bin, exposing his right side, you chopped down with the machete.

"It is by chance that the injury was not worse. It is only due to his immediate apprehension of your presence with the knife and his athletic vault that the injury was not worse and that the injuries were not multiple injuries.

"This was motivated, effectively, by revenge, not for you but on behalf of your stepdaughter and for some perceived slight. The planning, of course, is obvious.

"There is the physical injury, but also the psychological impact as well. There are, it seems to me unsurprisingly, three victims. There is the impact on [the victim] and also on his sister, who had been the target of the mob visit earlier, and his mother as well, all of whom had to pick up the pieces after this attack.

"The distress caused is difficult to overstate. It is very significant, in my judgement. Although the physical injury here was repaired, the harm is, in my judgement, far more significant."

Wilkinson was sentenced to eight years and handed an additional five years on licence. Appearing via video link to HMP Liverpool wearing a blue Montirex t-shirt, he replied: "Sound, nice one." He will be required to serve at least two thirds of the eight-year term before becoming eligible for release by the parole board.

A serious violence reduction order which will run for two years after he is freed from prison and restraining orders banning him from contacting the complainant, as well as his mum and sister, indefinitely was also placed on Wilkinson.

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