Jay Slater machete attack trial, judge's comments and brave victim's plea

The search continues for 19-year-old Jay Slater who went missing in Tenerife earlier this month. He had flown to the island to attend a three-day festival before travelling with two men to their Airbnb.

And on the morning of June 17, he rang his friend, Lucy, to say he only had one per cent battery left on his phone. That is the last time anyone has heard from him leaving his loved ones frantic with worry.

Police officers looking for Jay are also now focusing their attentions on where his mobile phone last 'pinged' as they return to a ravine in a mountainous region of the holiday island to look for him. In the huge amount of information spoken about online since his disappearance, one fact that is being brought up is Jay's conviction for a violent attack on a fellow teenager.

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In 2021, Jay, along with seven other youths, ambushed and chased fellow Tom Hilton in Rishton, Lancashire, attacking him with a machete, golf clubs, and an axe. Tom, who likened his attackers to 'a pack of gorillas', was left with a split skull following the assault, as well as injuries to his shoulders and legs, The Mirror reports.

The gang of eight gang members was seen laughing and joking throughout the trial at Preston Crown Court. This lead to Judge Philip Parry calling out their 'disrespect'.

Judge Parry stated: "You should all eight be thoroughly ashamed of yourselves but I am not at all convinced you are. Many of you have found these proceedings amusing throughout the trial and yesterday and today, showing disrespect to the court.

"I hope for the sake of all your families, the public and the people who have offered you jobs and apprenticeships and the sort that you all grow up."

Jay was handed an 18-month community order for his part in the incident, which included 25 days worth of rehabilitation activities and 150 hours of unpaid work. Tom, who was 17 at the time of the attack, has bravely spoken out about Jay's disappearence.

Taking to Facebook, he said: "Whoever is writing on these TikToks, give it a rest. This young lad's missing and his family's heartbroken. Put yourself in their shoes.

"Stop talking nonsense on social and get this lad found, mentioning my name all this and that. Have some respect and help find this boy and get him back to his family."