Three men jailed for their part in a vicious attack on a man in Chester

Three men have been jailed for their part in a violent attack on a man in Chester.

Benjamin Coote, 33, of no fixed abode in Chester, had previously pleaded guilty to section 18 assault and possession of a bladed article.

Paul Cullen, 50, of St Marks Road, Chester, and Stephen Fletcher, 44, of Bramley Way, Kirkby, were found guilty of section 20 assault following a 7-day trial which concluded on Wednesday 27 November 2024.

All three men appeared at Chester Crown Court on Friday 10 January to be sentenced.

Coote was sentenced to five years and three months, while Fletcher and Cullen were each sentenced to three years in prison.

The court heard that at around 7.20pm on 6 June 2024, police were called to reports that three men were attacking a man in an alleyway near to Abbots Nook, Chester. Officers attended and located the victim, who was covered in blood, nearby on Lorne Street.

The three men had fled the scene prior to police attendance.

The victim was taken to Aintree Hospital for treatment where it was found he had sustained serious injuries, including two puncture wounds to his back, and a puncture wound above his ear.

Following CCTV enquiries, officers were able to piece together the moments prior to the attack.

Fletcher attended the scene with the victim, followed by Coote and Cullen shortly after.

Coote is then seen to approach the victim while brandishing a large knife, before making multiple stabbing motions towards the victim who is sitting on the floor.

Fletcher and Cullen begin assaulting the victim along with Coote, who was continuing his sustained attack.

The three men then flee the scene, leaving the victim with his injuries.

Detective Constable Lorna Postlethwaite said:

“I welcome the sentences handed to the three defendants in this case who inflicted horrendous injuries to the victim in an abhorrent act of violence.

“Chester LPU officers, response, beat and CID worked tirelessly to find those responsible for this shocking attack while completing extensive enquiries and compiling a comprehensive file of evidence, subsequently bringing these men before the courts.

“I hope the conclusion of this case brings the victim some sense of closure and also reassures members of the community that those who commit these types of offences will be found and held accountable for their actions.”