Bolton: Father and son left victim 'naked and bleeding'

George McWilliams, 62, and his son Anthony, 35, approached the man’s house on The Crescent, Bolton at around 1am on August 27 last year apparently spontaneously after returning home together.

The victim, a man with whom the older McWilliams, of Stockton Drive, Bury had "some history", was alarmed to hear banging on his door that morning, Bolton Crown Court heard.

Andrew Molloy, prosecuting, said: “He was shocked and ran down the stairs where he was attacked by both men.”

He added: “George McWilliam was heard to say ‘shoot him’ during the attack.”

The case was heard at Bolton Crown Court (Image: Newsquest)

Mr Molloy told the court how the victim was punched and kicked in his home before he ran barefoot outside to try and seek refuge with a neighbour.

But the father and son followed after him and attacked the man further, with Anthony McWilliam, of Regent Street, Bury, hitting him on the head with a brick at one point before the pair ran off.

The police were called and the man was taken away to hospital after being left "naked and bleeding", according to Mr Molloy.

He was left with a fractured skull, two broken toes and cuts and bruises all over his body.

A victim impact statement read out by Mr Molloy said: “I confronted these man naked and defenceless.”

He added: “I believe I could have been killed due to the ferocity of the attack I was subjected to.”

The McWilliams were arrested not long afterwards and each pleaded guilty to assault causing grievous bodily harm.

Clare Ashcroft, defending the older McWilliam, claimed the court was dealing was a "very strange case" given that at the age of 62 her client had never been in trouble with the law before.

He had worked all his life, had volunteered during the pandemic and had been a well-respected member of his community.

Ms Ashcroft said that George McWilliam was "appalled and ashamed" by footage played to the court showing his and his son’s violent actions which "in no way reflects his character".

She said: “He says he was essentially caught up in the moment.”

She added: “One thing that this court can be sure of is that Mr George McWilliam will not come before these courts again.”

Mark Shanks, defending Anthony McWilliam, argued that he deserved credit for having pleaded guilty and said he had shown real remorse since then.

He also pointed out that the "history" with the victim primarily involved George rather than Anthony McWilliam.

Mr Shanks said: “He accepts that it wasn’t his fight but that he is the one who took it to the door.”

Judge Tom Gilbart accepted that the older McWilliam in particular showed good personal qualities and that the attack was "out of character" for him.

He said: “You have fallen from this history of work and of being held in high esteem to the shame of sharing a cell with your own son."

He also reminded the court of the effect their actions had on their victim.

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Judge Gilbart said: “This was a brutal attack on a man in his own property.

“The footage shows a quite savage attack, the victim naked and bleeding, banging at a neighbour’s door for protection.”

Judge Gilbart said he would be "failing in his public duty" if he did not send both to prison immediately.

He sentenced George McWilliam to 15 months in prison and his son to four years and nine months.