A MAN who stabbed his victim in the neck and legs with a machete has been given a 16-year jail sentence.

Thomas Peers, 29, was sentenced for the "shocking attack" which took place on Eaton Street, Prescot last July.

Peers, of Woodlands Road, Roby, was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court after being found guilty of grievous bodily harm (Section 18 assault); attempted GBH and dangerous driving.

Meanwhile, he had pleaded guilty to possession of a bladed weapon.

Peers received 16 years for the GBH and attempted GBH charges and 21 month concurrent sentences each for the dangerous driving and possession of a bladed weapon convictions.

Liverpool Crown Court

Liverpool Crown Court

At 10.25am on Sunday, July 19, 2020, following a verbal altercation, Peers drove at his victim, a man in his 40s, in a white Transit van.

The victim attempted to make off on foot and Peers stabbed him in the neck and legs with a machete.

The victim was taken to hospital for his injuries and needed emergency surgery.

Following a thorough investigation by police, Peers was arrested on Thursday, July 30 and then charged.

Following a trial at the court he was found guilty of assault, attempted assault, dangerous driving and possession of a bladed weapon at an earlier court hearing on February 2.

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Detective Constable Phil Poynton said: “This was a shocking assault which left a man with life threatening injuries. It was only by sheer good fortune that the incident did not end in tragedy.

“Knife crime can and does have devastating consequences to victims, their families and friends, and the lives of everyone around them. We are committed to combatting knife crime and bringing the people responsible to justice.

“I am pleased that Peers will now spend a considerable amount of time behind bars to think about the consequences of his actions.

“I hope that today’s sentencing also gives his victim some sense of closure and allows him now to move on with his life."

To report any violent assault, DM us on Twitter via @MerPolCC or message us on Facebook at ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’. Alternatively, call 101 or contact the independent charity @CrimestoppersUK anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their website: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-anonymously. In an emergency always call 999.