Terrifying moment drugged-up thugs wielding sledgehammer and axe launch horror attack on bin men
This is the horrifying moment three bin men were set upon in a violent ambush while going about their daily jobs. The tooled-up gang left their victims physically and mentally scarred - and forced them to quit work after the sickening attack.
The astonishing violence was sparked by a seemingly innocuous incident when a bin wagon and a car were involved in a near-miss in Birches Head, Stoke-on-Trent. But the incredibly minor incident set off a chain of events that saw two bin wagons come under attack from three men - and one youth - wielding a sledgehammer, axe, pole and bar.
And as they reigned terror on the workers, one council employee even had a gun pointed at him. One victim told Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court this week: "I had a gun pointed at me and fired. I have since struggled with everyday tasks.
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"I suffer with flashbacks and nightmares and am constantly looking over my shoulder. I finished work due to ill health and had worked for the council for 38 years." His statement was just one of three read at the court as it was revealed the victims no longer work for Stoke-on-Trent City Council because of what happened that fateful day, StokeOnTrentLive reports.
The second victim suffered a stroke but doctors could not say it was caused as a consequence of the injuries or stress from the incident. The driver who was punched in the face three times during the first incident needed hospital treatment for his head, face and foot injuries.
He returned to work in October 2023 after six months off sick. But he went back on sick leave in May 2024 and it is unlikely he will be able to return to work. He continues to receive counselling.
Trouble had erupted at 11.15am on March 21, 2023 when codeine-fuelled Joe Corden lost his temper after a near collision between his Vauxhall Corsa and a bin wagon at the junction of Birches Head Road and Fairhaven Road.
At one point Corden retrieved a lollipop sign from the boot of his car to smash up the lorry and used his fists to pummel his victim. Following the attack, the wagon returned to the depot. In the meantime, Corden recruited three friends - Jack Spackman, Kyle Worthington and a youth - to ambush the second wagon in Birches Head Road.
Worthington, the last of the four to get out of Corden's car, was the one to fire a gun in the direction of the wagon. The terrifying scenes were captured on both lorries' dashcams. Corden, 29, of Tellwright Street, Burslem, pleaded guilty to two charges of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm with intent; two charges of wounding with intent, possession of an offensive weapon in a public place, damaging property, driving without a licence and driving without insurance.
Spackman, 25, of Beverley Drive, Bentilee, pleaded guilty to one charge of conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm with intent, possession of an offensive weapon in public and criminal damage.
Worthington, 21, of Abbey Road, Abbey Hulton, pleaded guilty conspiring to cause grievous bodily harm with intent and possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence. He also falls to be sentenced for other unrelated matters including dangerous driving.
The case was adjourned until February 7 when Spackman and Worthington are expected to be sentenced. Corden's basis of plea has not been accepted by the prosecution so his case could be further adjourned.
All three men were remanded in custody. The youth was sentenced at an earlier hearing to a three year youth rehabilitation order.