Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
National
Abigail Nicholson

Man pinned teen down and hit him in the face with hammer

A man pinned down a teenager before hitting him in the face over and over again with a hammer.

Thomas Cawley, 32, attacked his victim outside the Red Lion Pub on Robins Lane, St Helens, at around 7.45pm on Monday, November 19 of last year. Liverpool Crown Court heard on Wednesday, May 11, how Cawley poured a household corrosive substance over his 17-year-old victim before pinning him down.

Once pinned down, he hit the teen in the face over and over again with a hammer and threatened him with a knife. Merseyside Police rushed to the scene along with the North West Ambulance Service.

READ MORE: Man rushed to hospital after liquid thrown in hammer attack

Both the victim and Cawley received treatment at hospital for their wounds. The 17-year-old was left with extensive bruising, cuts and facial swelling and lost two teeth from the attack.

Cawley was due to stand trial on Wednesday, May 11, for section 18 assault - causing grievous bodily harm with intent, however changed his plea to guilty on the day and was sentenced for the offence. Thomas Cawley, 32, of no fixed address, was jailed for eight years and one month.

Merseyside Police 'welcomed' the sentencing of Cawley for an attack they described as "vicious and nasty".

Speaking about the case, Detective Inspector Lisa Milligan said: “We welcome this sentence and that Cawley has been punished in the courts and is now behind bars after this shocking display of violence. This was a vicious and nasty attack on a 17-year-old male where Cawley poured a household corrosive substance on him.

"The victim was then pinned him down and hit a number of times in the face with a hammer. Cawley also threatened the victim with a knife. The victim was left with extensive facial swelling and bruising, cuts to his face and has lost two teeth from the attack.

"I hope Cawley now uses the time in jail to reflect on his behaviour, and the significant impact it has had on his victim."

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.