Two individuals embraced an elderly man before carrying out a brutal assault that rendered him unconscious.
Paul McCann, aged 66, expressed that his self-assurance had been severely affected by the attack, leading him to feel unsafe in Liverpool city center and contemplate relocating from Merseyside. On the night of October 20, 2024, after socializing with friends and venturing home alone around midnight, Paul encountered a homeless woman named Cheryl Driver in a wheelchair, with whom he engaged in conversation, according to court proceedings.
Prosecutor Simon Leong recounted how Michael Coyle and Keith White were present with Cheryl at the time. Surveillance footage captured White exhibiting peculiar behavior before approaching Paul and embracing him. The senior citizen attempted to push White away and lightly struck him on the face.
Subsequently, Coyle aggressively pushed and repeatedly punched Paul while White grappled with him. They proceeded to spin him around and abandon him on the ground, where he momentarily lost consciousness after being kicked.
Upon regaining consciousness, Paul sought help at a nearby hotel, where authorities were notified. He later visited a hospital, suspecting that his ribs were fractured due to the assault but left without treatment due to extended waiting times and the need to attend to his dogs.
In a statement delivered on his behalf in court, Paul described the excruciating pain he experienced due to his COPD condition when coughing frequently.
He articulated, “The incident has shattered my confidence. I now avoid dark areas and refrain from visiting Liverpool city center. Simple joys have been stripped from me. I’m constantly vigilant of my surroundings and wary of individuals loitering on street corners. This ordeal has aged me, prompting self-doubt about my capabilities and decisions. I hope to regain my confidence in the future and am contemplating a move to a different region.”
The culprits responsible for the assault were identified through CCTV footage. White had an extensive criminal record, including multiple convictions for various offenses, while Coyle had also been previously convicted for assault and criminal damage.
During the sentencing, Recorder Eric Lamb acknowledged White’s progress in overcoming drug addiction during his custody period and highlighted Coyle’s history of substance misuse and homelessness. The court ruled a jail term of six months each for Coyle and White after they pleaded guilty to affray charges on the trial date.