Man found guilty following revenge machete attack in Northwich
It follows a trial at Chester Crown Court
A man from Wigan has been found guilty of attempted murder after attacking a man with a machete outside a gym in Northwich.
He had also pleaded guilty to the charge of possession of a knife in a public place.
The 48-year-old, Samson Price of Sefton Road, Wigan, has been remanded in custody and will be sentenced on Thursday 23 March.
During the trial the court heard how Price’s son, Samson Jnr, drowned at Wigan Flash on Sunday 4 October 2020.
An investigation into the 18-year-olds death was undertaken by Greater Manchester Police and two teenage boys were arrested – including the victim from the Northwich attack.
However, no charges were ever brought against the pair, and a coroner has since ruled an open verdict.
Price was unhappy with the outcome of the police investigation into his son’s death so decided to take the law into his own hands in a carefully planned attack.
In the weeks prior to the attack Price purchased a tracker which he installed on the victim’s car to monitor his every movement.
After following him for several days Price decided to confront the victim on Thursday 23 September 2021 outside a gym on the outskirts of Northwich town centre.
Price arrived at the Leicester Street gym shortly before 6pm and waited outside armed with a machete and wearing a face mask to stop the victim from recognising him.
He then followed the victim as he exited the premises and repeatedly attacked him from behind with a machete.
During the attack it is estimates that the victim was slashed between 15 and 20 times.
Price eventually stopped his attack after the victim fell to the floor covered in blood, he then made off from the scene on foot before getting into a vehicle which was parked nearby.
Police and paramedics swiftly attended the scene, and the victim was rushed to Aintree Hospital where he received lifesaving treatment.
After making off from the scene Price went into hiding for ten days, but he subsequently handed himself in and was charged in connection with the incident.
After his arrest Price admitted carrying out the attack, he claimed that he had not intended to kill the victim but just wanted to harm him.
However, after listening to all of the evidence he was found guilty of attempted murder.