Two men jailed after man was stabbed at Blackpool music festival

Two men have been jailed after a man was stabbed 14 times at a music festival in Blackpool.

Published 23rd May 2016

Two men have been jailed after a man was stabbed 14 times at a music festival in Blackpool.

The 24-year old was attacked at the Pier Jam event last year.

26-year old Luke Sandlan and 21-year old Elliott Sandlan, both from Eccles in Manchester were locked up for a total of 18 and a half years

The two men both of Boddington Road, Eccles, Manchester, were sentenced at Preston Crown Court.

Police were called to North Pier around 10.45pm on Saturday, 26th September, following reports several people had been attacked.

One of those, a 24-year-old man from Manchester, suffered 14 stab wounds to his leg and was taken to Royal Preston Hospital for treatment.

Earlier this year, Luke Sandlan pleaded guilty to the victim’s attempted murder, while Elliott Sandlan pleading guilty to Section 18 wounding with intent.

Luke Sandlan was sentenced to 11 years imprisonment for the attempted murder. He was also given an 18 week sentence to run consecutively after he had a suspended sentence activated for an unrelated matter.

Elliott Sandlan was sentenced to seven and a half years imprisonment. He was also given an additional two years imprisonment for an unrelated drugs offence.

The pair had also been charged with attacking two other men at the event, with both taken to hospital suffering from single stab wounds.

The court accepted these charges will lie on file.

Det Insp Gareth Willis, of Blackpool CID, said: “This was an extremely serious incident which but for the intervention of medical staff would have resulted in a fatality.

“One person has been left with life-changing injuries, including the amputation of part of his right leg.

“More than 2,000 people attended this event and we are extremely grateful to witnesses who came forward to assist in the successful prosecution of these offenders.

“I would also like to make special mention of the security staff at the event who were directly involved in the apprehension of the offenders as they attempted to leave the scene.

“We appreciate and understand the majority of people want to enjoy themselves at music festivals and do so in a responsible and appropriate manner.

“However, there was no excuse for the deplorable actions of either man and we welcome today’s judgments which should serve as a warning to others.”