PETERBOROUGH, UK – A trio has been sentenced to jail after leaving their victim with “catastrophic” head injuries following a brutal attack. The incident occurred in the early hours of April 2nd last year, when the group forcibly entered a house in Wake Road, Eastgate, Peterborough, and viciously assaulted the occupant. Ben Williams, 32, Tamara Matthews, 23, and Leonard Davis, 23, were involved in the attack that left the victim with severe injuries.
During the trial at Cambridge Crown Court, jurors heard how Williams repeatedly struck the victim, causing internal bleeding in his brain. A distressing 999 call to the police was played during the trial, in which the victim pleaded for help as he was being attacked in his home.
As police arrived at the scene, they witnessed Matthews and another man assaulting the victim while shouting abuse. The victim was found with “catastrophic” head injuries, while Williams and another man, later identified as Leonard Davis, had fled from the scene. Both Matthews and another woman, Isla Fitzgerald, were arrested at the scene, while Williams and Davis were tracked down and arrested in Norwich after fleeing from Peterborough.
After a 14-day trial, Williams was found guilty of attempted murder and was sentenced to 31 years in prison. Matthews was found guilty of assault causing grievous bodily harm and received a nine-year sentence, while Davis, who admitted to causing grievous bodily harm, also received a nine-year sentence. Fitzgerald, who was initially charged with attempted murder, had the charges dropped and will face no further action.
Detective Constable Lauren Easton, who led the investigation, described the attack as extremely vicious and believed it stemmed from an incident involving Matthews’ family members. The victim, though fortunate to survive, suffered from a brain hemorrhage, bruising, swelling, and lacerations as a result of the attack.
The severity of the injuries and the callousness of the attack highlight the impact of such violence on communities. The perpetrators’ sentences reflect the seriousness of their actions and the need for justice for the victim.