AN UNCLE and nephew with a history of violence were jailed for an attack in which a man was stabbed and left motionless on the floor of a pub in front of customers.
Gareth Parr, 19, and his uncle Frankie Parr, 33, appeared at Liverpool Crown Court to be sentenced for the assault which happened at the Vine Tavern pub on Elephant Lane, Thatto Heath in August.
Prosecuting, Martin Walsh, told the court that the attack victim Steven Rigby suffered stab wounds to his right forearm and his ribs after violence broke out.
He added that both men had substantial criminal records, including for previous violent offences.
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The court was told Frankie Parr attacked Mr Rigby, who had thrown a punch, before the violence escalated by his nephew Gareth Parr, who stabbed the victim several times.
Both defendants were in the Vine Tavern on the evening of Saturday, August 6, where a “beach-themed party” was taking place.
The court heard that “families were present” and that both men “were drunk” and earlier in the evening Gareth Parr “had to be warned about (his) behaviour”.
Just before 9pm Gareth Parr entered the pub “carrying a long kitchen knife” and his uncle was “talking to Steven Rigby (the victim) and things became heated.
“It’s not entirely clear why but Steven Rigby threw the first punch on you Frankie Parr,” judge Gary Woodhall said.
The court heard that Frankie Parr then “took hold of (the) victim and punched him” and inflicted “repeated punches” on Mr Rigby.
Judge Woodhall added: “Gary Parr decided to increase the level of violence” and “stabbed” Mr Rigby.
The victim “fell to the floor and Frankie Parr kicked and punched him. Steven Rigby remained unresponsive throughout".
Gareth Parr then returned and went on to “stab him (Mr Rigby)” as “he lay motionless on the floor”.
The judge noted to Gareth Parr “your willingness to return to keep using it is particularly concerning. All of this occurred in the presence of other customers and staff, some of whom intervened during which you (Gareth Parr) threatened them with the knife before leaving”.
Gareth Parr then left the pub with his uncle and “took the knife with” him.
The judge added: “Those left behind were understandably upset and distressed at what they had just witnessed.
“One of them described being shocked and feared for her own safety."
The court heard how in a victim impact statement Mr Rigby had “been left anxious by what happened and doesn’t want to go out”.
The judge described the weapon Gareth Parr used as “a substantial kitchen knife” and he told the author of the pre-sentence report he “regularly carried knives due to a paranoia”.
He said his offence was “aggravated because it was committed when you were subject to a suspended sentence order” and his “previous convictions” and “presence of others”.
He said that Frankie Parr, who had 17 previous convictions, had shown a “clear pattern of violent behaviour” and a “history of drug use”.
He noted that both defendants had “adverse childhood issues”.
The judge ruled “these offences are so serious that only custodial sentences can be justified”.
He also found both men to be “dangerous” and passed sentences, with an extended licence period.
Gareth Parr, of Gibbons Avenue, Old Eccleston, had pleaded guilty to wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm (GBH) over the stabbing and possession of a bladed article in a public place.
He was also convicted of a breach of a suspended sentence he had received for throwing urine and faeces at prison officers. He carried out the stabbing at the Vine Tavern during the period of the suspended sentence.
Frankie Parr, of Mersey Street, Parr, pleaded guilty to assault causing actual bodily harm (ABH) over his role in the assault in the Vine.
Frankie Parr had also been convicted of affray after an incident at around 11pm on March 29, which saw him throw an axe through the window of The Sweet Retreat, a milkshake shop on Elephant Lane, Thatto Heath, and chased a man down the street holding the weapon. This was following a “dispute” he had with him involving money.
Gareth Parr was sentenced to four and a half years for the wounding offence, and also 12 months for the breach of the suspended sentence with a 21-month concurrent sentence for the possession of a bladed article.
This made a a prison term of five and a half years, of which two-thirds must be served in custody, with an extended three years on licence.
Meanwhile, Frankie Parr was sentenced to 12 months for ABH over the pub attack and two years consecutive for affray. He was given an overall term of three years, two-thirds of which to be served in prison, and a three-year extended licence period.
Restraining orders for an undetermined timeframe were imposed for the men not to contact their victim.
Defending Gareth Parr, Suzanne Payne, said her client had “a dysfunctional upbringing” and “exposure to domestic abuse” and was taken to a refuge with his mother at the age of four. She added he had suffered a “brain injury” in 2019 which has hindered his “cognitive skills”.
Defending Frankie Parr, Wyn Williams, said he had “adverse childhood experiences” and that his client “wasn’t the first” to throw a punch at the pub.
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