Tears in court as six men locked up for 46 years after boxer stabbed in heart
A "pack of animals" have been locked up for nearly 50 years after a boxer was stabbed in the heart. Anthony Dodson was left with life-threatening injuries after fighting broke out in a Liverpool city centre nightclub before spilling out into the street.
Some of those who became embroiled in the vicious incident burned their designer clothing in a park and attempted to flee to France as illegal stowaways on a lorry in the aftermath of the near fatal assault. Eight defendants - Milne Critchley, Adam Draper, Lee Duffy, Jordan Kinsella, Eugene Mason-Lamb, George Miller and Cameron Quinn and a 17-year-old boy who cannot be identified for legal reasons - were convicted of offences including unlawful wounding and violent disorder in connection with the early hours brawl following a trial at Liverpool Crown Court.
They returned to the same court for sentencing today, with six of the thugs handed custodial terms totalling 46 years this afternoon. One was spared an immediate prison sentence, while the youth will learn his fate tomorrow.
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Sentencing, Judge Stuart Driver KC said: "A punch thrown by George Miller sparked violent disorder inside the club, involving several of these defendants. In the incident, one man was struck with a bottle and kicked while he was on the ground and the bottle was then used by throwing to wound the scalp of another man. A knife was brandished.
"Most of the defendants were ejected but remained outside. A few minutes later one of the victims, Kia Robinson, came out, and he was attacked by about half a dozen men who had at least three weapons - a knife, a sharp piece of glass and a large fan - and he suffered a scalp wound and other injuries.
"His friend, Alex Murphy, tried to protect him. He was stabbed in the back with a piece of glass and slashed at with a knife. The victims then went back inside. The defendants' group waited outside for them.
"Some minutes later, the four victims came out and were confronted by a much larger group. The footage shows the small group walking backwards, backing away as a large group advances towards them throwing missiles.
"Anthony Dodson became separated and alone. He was surrounded and he was punched, kicked and stabbed. His injuries were certainly life-threatening. He is lucky to be alive. The emergency services reached him almost immediately as he lay in the street.
"Had they not, it is likely that his family would have suffered a tragedy and these defendants would have faced homicide charges. He has not made a full recovery.
"One eyewitness described these defendants as behaving like a pack of animals. No reasonable person could disagree with that. It was a group attack of 10 onto one. In each case, it is mitigated by the fact that each defendant did not actually inflict the knife wound."
'This safehouse was anything but'
Steven Ball told a jury of nine men and three women during the prosecution's opening in July that Mr Dodson was found collapsed at the junction of Church Street and Whitechapel at around 5am on December 27 last year, having been stabbed twice in the heart and twice more near to the armpit. The 21-year-old was not breathing and had gone into cardiac arrest, but his "life was saved" thanks to the intervention of medics.
He had earlier been out celebrating Boxing Night with a group of friends, some of who also suffered serious injuries during the altercation. One, Alexander Murphy, was stabbed to his lower back while another, Kia Robinson, was struck to the head and left with a "large gash".
A fourth casualty, Samuel Finlay, "got away relatively unscathed" after apparently having a bottle of Disaronno thrown at his head inside the bar. They and a group also including Anthony McGovern and Thomas Williams had visited the Safehouse on Victoria Street together at around 1.30am, while the defendants were part of a "large group of men and women" who arrived "in dribs and drabs" at around 2.45am.
But, by 5am, "things turned ugly" inside the bar, with Mr Ball telling the court: "This Safehouse was anything but. The violence with which we are concerned started inside the bar, but was to continue shortly afterwards out on the street.
"These victims were unarmed, outnumbered and outmanoeuvred. Punches and kicks were supplemented by the use of knives, bottles and improvised weapons that simply came to hand."
The violent scenes were said to have been sparked when Mr Robinson was punched by Miller and Draper, after which 19-year-old Duffy was seen to brandish a knife. Mr Finlay reportedly "tried to break up the fight", but was hit in the head with a bottle of Disaronno thrown by 21-year-old Quinn.
Mr Robinson fell to the floor as a result of the assault, after which Duffy and the then 16-year-old youth "joined in the violence by using their feet". Door staff intervened at this stage and Critchley, Duffy, Kinsella, Miller, Quinn, the boy and three unknown males were ejected from the premises onto Peter Street alongside several women in their company.
Teenage boy was 'out of control'
The group then made their way onto Victoria Street, with some entering a taxi before exiting again without the vehicle having moved. Duffy was subsequently seen on CCTV footage "with a shiny metal object", allegedly the same knife he was accused of carrying inside the club, in his hand and "intent on more trouble and upping the ante".
Several members of their party attempted to gain re-entry to the premises before Critchley, Duffy, Kinsella, Miller, Quinn, the teenager and several unidentified men returned to Peter Street. When Mr Robinson left the bar alongside Mr Finlay and Mr Murphy towards Whitechapel, he was chased down the street by his alleged assailants.
Critchley, Duffy and Kinsella were said to have been "at the vanguard of this group". The complainant "tried to reason with them but had no choice but to put up his fists and try to defend himself, but was soon set upon by the pack", with several kicks and punches being thrown.
The teen, who was described as being "out of control and prepared to use what he had in his hands on others", picked up a bottle and "launched it into the group". He then armed himself with the metal base of a fan and "re-joined the fray by wildly and repeatedly swinging it" at Mr Robinson, allegedly leaving him with the gash to his head.
Mr Murphy meanwhile attempted to defend his friend from the assault but was stabbed in the lower back by Quinn, of Swanside Avenue in Huyton, before Duffy "lashed out at him", slashing at him with a knife without making contact. Security from the bar then intervened once more, with 21-year-old Critchley swinging a punch towards a doorman.
Duffy then aimed a "snide and heavy" blow at Mr Robinson's head as he was being "led away to safety". He was "bundled back into the Safehouse" as a "worked up" Critchley, Duffy, Kinsella, Quinn and the youth attempted to get back into the establishment and then "waited outside for the opportunity to attack the group again".
Thugs arrested as stowaways on lorry
Draper, Mason-Lamb and another man named Delton Jones meanwhile remained inside the Safehouse, with Mr Dodson, Mr McGovern, Mr Murphy, Mr Robinson and Mr Williams by now being back within the nightclub. This led to Mr Robinson being punched and headbutted by Jones as Critchley and Miller "took it in turns to boot the door" at the entrance.
Mr Murphy was then led into a waiting taxi by door staff while Mr Dodson, Mr McGovern, Mr Robinson and Mr Williams were let out onto the street "where at least 10 men lay in wait for them". A further "scuffle" broke out as a result, during which Mr Dodson was punched by Critchley and kicked by Miller.
The youth "hurled objects in the direction of the group", while four of the victims were chased down Peter Street towards Whitechapel. While three of them were able to escape, Mr Dodson was "caught and punched by an unknown male".
Critchley, Jones, Miller and the boy were said to have been "right in the thick of it" before Duffy and Kinsella also became involved in the violence. Mr Dodson was then surrounded by his assailants and stabbed in the chest as 30-year-old Mason-Lamb, of Hodder Road in Everton, was said to have "acted as a lookout".
The incident thereafter continued on Whitechapel, where the defendants were said to have searched in wheelie bins "for objects to pick up and throw". Miller, of no fixed address, was seen on CCTV to push and kick Mr Dodson and exchange punches with Mr McGovern.
Mason-Lamb's behaviour was described as "excitable", while Critchley was positioned "at the front of the group" with an item in his hands - allegedly a lock knife. Duffy, of Whitefield Way in Everton, was also seen to aim punches at Mr Robinson before throwing an object towards the rival group near to the Met Quarter.
Mr Dodson was able to escape to Church Street, where he collapsed as a result of his injuries. Miller and Duffy were meanwhile seen "shadow boxing" as they walked off while "showing off in high spirits and celebrating the violence that they had been a part of just moments before".
Critchley, of Sprucewood Close in Anfield, left in a cab with a man called Luke Bowland while Draper, Duffy, Kinsella, Miller and the teen departed the city centre on foot via St John's Gardens. Draper, of St David's Road in Huyton, had disposed of a lock knife in an industrial bin near to German Doner Kebab beforehand.
Critchley's "distinctive" black Givenchy sweater was subsequently discovered "charred but recognisable" on Thirlmere Park in Everton alongside several burned mobile phones in what was described as an "attempt to destroy evidence which would link him and others to the incident". He, Draper, Quinn and Mr Bowland were later arrested in Folkstone, Kent, after attempting to leave the UK for France as illegal stowaways in the back of a lorry.
Kinsella and Mason-Lamb were detained by officers while "out and about" while Duffy, Miller and the teen handed themselves into the police. Jones has been circulated as wanted by Merseyside Police, but his whereabouts are "currently not known".
Four of the men seen to be involved in the incident on the footage have not been identified by the force. Mr Bowland meanwhile was "ruled out of either participating in, encouraging or providing back up to his friends in their violence".
Victim 'faces uncertain prognosis'
Mr Ball described on Monday how Mr Dodson "faces an uncertain prognosis" as his "heart is not functioning correctly". Bunty Batra meanwhile said on behalf of Critchley: "He is still very young. He is a man of hitherto good character, effectively. He has a single previous conviction for a small amount of cannabis.
"On that evening, Milne Critchley had gone out simply to enjoy the evening. There had been no intent on his part to be embroiled in any violence. There is nothing in his character that would suggest that he is the sort of individual who would engage in violence. He had not gone out looking for trouble.
"There is no suggestion that Milne Critchley was involved in any violence inside the Safehouse. His first response on being ejected was to attempt to take a taxi. He was unable to get one. Had he got into a taxi, he would not have been part of anything that took place later.
"Milne Critchley and Kia Robinson did square up to each other. It was Kia Robinson that threw the first punch at Milne Critchley. The whole incident took place very quickly. What Milne Critchley did do is punch out on two occasions. It is not clear whether the punches landed. Any injury that could have been caused by those two punches is minimal.
"He appears to express genuine remorse. On the outside, he lives with his mother and his siblings. He, in effect, parents his parent and also his siblings. He feels great responsibility to them as a father figure. It causes him considerable pain that he is not there for them. It is clear that custody has had a salutary effect on him.
"He has a genuine degree of insight in his own conduct. I invite your honour not to crush any hope that he has for the future so that he can act as the responsible person he is generally and wants to be."
Miller has three previous convictions for four offences of possession of cannabis in 2022 and 2023. His counsel Cheryl Mottram told the court: "He has relatively few convictions on his record. This is a clear escalation in that.
"It is clear that his immaturity has played a part in his offending. It is obvious that he had a misguided sense of loyalty to his friends which caused him to get involved in this incident on their behalf, to support and assist them in what he initially viewed as [the youth] being assaulted.
"He did not stop and take time to view the scene before him before he went headfirst into involving himself in the fight. Had he been older and more experienced, he may well not have reacted to the situation as he did. It is also clear that he had no idea how serious this incident was when it ended. He is there walking away from the scene, almost laughing and joking.
"He had no idea that Mr Dodson had been so seriously injured, and he is extremely remorseful for the injuries that Mr Dodson and others received as a result of his involvement in the incident.
"He has a supportive mother, father and brother. They will have to live with the consequences of his actions. They will have to visit him in custody for many months to come. He is remorseful that he has put them in that situation.
"This is out of character for him. He has no violence at all on his record. References speak highly of him. There is clearly another side to him. The reference of his previous employer speaks of him being a kind and thoughtful individual."
Draper's criminal record shows one previous conviction for possession of a bladed article in a public place and possession of cannabis in 2021. Simon Gledhill, defending, said: "There is no evidence that Mr Draper made any physical contact with Mr Dodson, let alone was responsible for any injuries inflicted.
"His involvement only really began at the end of the incident, and he was not responsible for what had gone on before. It is also right to observe on his behalf that, clearly, he had no real concept of the degree of injury that had been inflicted on Mr Dodson.
"I pray in aid Mr Draper's young age. His actions, to an extent, appear to be driven by immaturity as well as misguided loyalty towards his friends who were already involved in this incident.
"There are much more positive aspects to Mr Draper's character. He is a young man who did well in education. The reference from his grandmother speaks very positively of him, and the reference of his mother speaks of the adversity he has faced by virtue of her own ill health and the support he has provided. That has been important to her and will continue to be missing until his release.
"He has demonstrated what appears to be genuine remorse for the victims of this offending. There is no general tendency towards violence on Adam Draper's part."
Quinn has no previous convictions. Kieran Brand, defending, told the court: "There is, in our submission, remorse. It was remorse which was expressed throughout proceedings.
"His exemplary conduct is borne out by character references from a priest, his employer and head of year, which all speak about very positive aspects. He is described by his former employers as a young man with real integrity.
"I pray in aid all that is said by his mother in her letter to you. She describes him as a loving son, grandson, brother and boyfriend and sets out the difficulties his youngest brother suffers with. She describes a young man who has lived a law-abiding, hard working life.
"He is someone who will undoubtedly go on to lead the life he was living before this gross error in judgement in terms of how he behaved on Boxing Day night last year. The actions of Cameron Quinn that night were out of character and not actions he is likely to repeat in future."
Kinsella, of Harrogate Drive in Everton, has a total of four convictions for possession of cannabis and drug driving during 2021 and 2022. Andrew Alty said on his behalf: "There are two references, one from from his mother and one from his brother. They are impressive documents, and a picture is painted of Mr Kinsella which is very different from the one which led to these events.
"He knows he is going to receive a custodial sentence, and it will be his first. He expresses extreme remorse for his involvement."
Mason-Lamb has one previous court appearance for drug driving in 2019. His counsel Jason Smith said: "He is in a different position to every other defendant in this case. His involvement in this case, in terms of violence and aggression, does not flow from events in the nightclub or on Peter Street. His involvement begins on Whitechapel.
"He does not use a weapon and there is no assault. He has admitted his guilt and he is remorseful. His role is different to the other defendants in this case.
"We are dealing with a 30-year-old man with one totally unrelated conviction. This is a man who can be rehabilitated. It is clear from the references, particularly those of his family, that a term of imprisonment would have an impact, and in my submission a significant impact, on other people, not just this defendant."
Duffy has no previous court appearances against his name. Daniel Travers, defending, told the court: "He is still maturing. He was only 19 at the time.
"This was a period of about eight minutes of offending. His upbringing and family circumstances have been outlined. His education was interrupted by the pandemic. His first period of custody has been difficult."
The youth also has no previous convictions. Kate Morley, appearing on his behalf, added: "There is genuine remorse and empathy. He bitterly regrets his actions.
"The letter he has written to your honour outlines his regret and how ashamed he is of his behaviour. References show how out of character his behaviour was.
"In an extremely challenging situation, being uprooted from his family, his behaviour has been exemplary. He has not put a foot wrong in eight months. He has accessed the support that is available to him. He has shown a willingness to change and a mature attitude to learning.
"He was removed from his mother's care at the age of four. The effect must have been traumatic. His father also had his mental health issues, having to raise the children alone. [The defendant] had the burden of trying to assist him with his mental health struggles.
"He handed himself in at the police station. He was not known to the police at the time. He did the right thing in respect of coming forward.
"I invite the court to consider his behaviour in the context of his age, his experience and the influence of those around him. He was not the instigator of the violence that started the evening, but he became readily involved. There is no previous pattern of violent behaviour.
"He has shown positive signs that he has learned from his mistakes and is receptive to change. In my submission, this was an isolated event driven by the influence of others in an effort to fit in with the group."
Groans and tears as six are imprisoned
Critchley was found guilty of wounding with intent, having admitted violent disorder. Groans were heard in the public gallery and one woman left the courtroom in tears as he was jailed for 10 years, a term of which he must serve two thirds behind bars before becoming eligible for release.
Judge Driver told him: "You were a prominent member of the group violence on Peter Street. You took part in a group attack on Kia Robinson, who was heavily outnumbered and was punched, kicked and struck by a weapon. That in itself was a serious crime, deserving of a significant custodial sentence.
"Another aggravating feature is your behaviour afterwards. You burned, or caused to be burned, evidence and fled the country to escape."
Draper was convicted of unlawful wounding by a jury. The 21-year-old was handed four years and will be subject to a two-year serious violence reduction order upon his release.
The judge said in his case: "It is aggravated by your previous conviction for possession of a bladed article in a public place. That is particularly concerning.
"You were seen to hide a knife in a bin immediately after this incident. It cannot be proved that this was the knife which was used to cause any wound, but it must have been in possession of one of the attackers during the incident. You also fled the country afterwards."
Miller admitted violent disorder but was found guilty of wounding with intent. Further groans were heard in court as the 20-year-old was locked up for 10 years, of which he must serve at least two thirds in custody.
Judge Driver added: "You started it all with a gratuitous punch in the nightclub. You later took part in violent disorder in the street, using violence in an attack upon an outnumbered man who was punched and kicked on Peter Street. He was injured with a weapon and another man was stabbed."
Quinn was convicted of two counts of wounding with intent, having pleaded guilty to violent disorder. He stood with his arms folded in the dock then shrugged as he was imprisoned for 12 years, of which he must serve two thirds, while a co-defendant patted him on the back.
The judge told him: "You used a piece of glass to stab Alex Murphy in the back during violent disorder which, principally, was a group attack on Kia Robinson. This conviction for two offences of section 18 wounding with intent on two separate victims in two separable incidents is very grave indeed, and you must receive a longer sentence than any of your co-defendants. You also fled the jurisdiction afterwards."
Kinsella was found guilty of unlawful wounding, having admitted violent disorder. The 29-year-old nodded as he was jailed for four years.
Duffy was convicted of unlawful wounding, attempted unlawful wounding and possession of a bladed article in a public place. He also pleaded guilty to violent disorder and was given six years in a young offenders' institute.
Judge Driver said of him: "It is aggravated by the fact that you used the knife you had taken out with you to try to slash the arm of a man who had just been stabbed in the back by somebody else. You waved the knife around inside the club after you had kicked one victim when he was already on the floor."
'You will not get a second chance'
Mason-Lamb admitted violent disorder, having been cleared of wounding with intent and unlawful wounding following the trial. Cries of "yes" and clapping were heard from the public gallery as he was handed a 15-month imprisonment suspended for 18 months, 100 hours of unpaid work and a rehabilitation activity requirement of up to 25 days.
The judge told him: "Your situation is unique in this case, and you are in a much less serious position. I must sentence you on the basis that you began offending after all of the injuries had been caused and when the victim's group were being chased away.
"What you took part in was itself an incident of disorder in a public street at night, involving a large number of people. You knew that serious violence had taken place, albeit you may not have known that one of the people you were chasing had life-threatening injuries as he ran away from you.
"Your behaviour must be seen in that very serious context. I am treating you as a person of previous good character, and you will get credit for your plea of guilty. There is a realistic prospect of rehabilitation in your case.
"I will remember this case and I will remember that I gave you a chance when I had the power and right to send you to prison. You will not get a second chance if I see you again, you are going away."
The youth was found guilty of two counts of wounding with intent and admitted violent disorder. He will be sentenced tomorrow morning, Tuesday.
Mr Dodson is the son of former professional boxer Tony Dodson, who held the British super middleweight title in 2003 and retired in 2016. Anthony Dodson meanwhile won the Merseyside and Cheshire Youth Championship final in 2020 and made it to the quarter finals of the national championship, fighting out of Gemini Boxing Club in Speke.