Pair jailed for violent attack in Blackpool
The two men were sentenced to a total of more than 30 years in prison
Two men have today (Thursday, December 14th) been jailed for the robbery of a man in Blackpool.
Dale Docherty, 23, of Dinmore Place, Blackpool and Jonathan Johnstone, 23, of Bowland Crescent, Blackpool, were sentenced to a total of more than 30 years in prison at Preston Crown Court.
Around 9.15am on October 15th, 2016, police were called by the Ambulance Service following reports of an assault at an address in Withnell Road.
Officers attended and found 36-year-old Christopher Caesar injured at the scene. He had been violently assaulted and was drifting in and out of consciousness.
Following investigation detectives discovered the victim had been asleep at the address when he was woken by the sound of his door being kicked in.
Dale Docherty entered Mr Caesar’s bedroom and told him to sit in the front room of the property. The victim was then threatened by Johnstone, who demanded cash or drugs before attacking Mr Caesar with a hammer. Docherty was also involved in the incident.
Mr Caesar was taken to hospital having suffered bruising and fractures to his nose and cheekbones. He also had a bleed and swelling to his brain. There it was established the 36-year-old had been receiving chemotherapy treatment for a pre-diagnosed brain tumour.
Johnstone was later arrested, with Docherty going on the run. He was eventually located and arrested in Scotland in December 2016.
Johnstone and Docherty were charged by police, with both pleading guilty at court earlier this month
Docherty was given 16 years in prison and Johnstone was sentenced to 17 years in jail.
Sadly Mr Caesar died six months after the attack, with a post mortem showing his death was due to the tumour, not as a result of injuries sustained during the attack.
Temp Det Chief Insp Gareth Willis, of Lancashire Police, said: "This was a violent attack on a defenceless man by two men who showed utter disregard for their victim.
"Docherty and Johnstone targeted Mr Caesar because they knew he was vulnerable.
"Their actions were despicable, leaving Christopher with a number of serious injuries including partial paralysis down his left hand side which caused him to need a wheelchair.
"Although they were not responsible for his death, their collective actions undoubtedly affected his quality of life in the months before he died. In addition the impact upon Christopher’s family cannot be underestimated as they found their lives completely turned upside down.
"Sadly Christopher was never to see justice served, dying from a pre-existing brain tumour several months before today’s verdicts.
"We welcome the sentences imposed and hope they provide some small comfort to Christopher’s family and friends."