A dad who blamed an innocent teen for the death of his son has been convicted of attempted murder in a ‘terrifying’ attack.
Samson Price, of Sefton Road in Wigan, has been found guilty following a six-day trial at Chester Crown Court, which concluded today (February 6). He had also pleaded guilty to the charge of possession of a knife in a public place.
The 48-year-old will be sentenced on Thursday, March 23. During the trial, the court heard how Price’s son, Samson Jnr, drowned at Westwood Flash in Wigan on Sunday, October 4, 2020.
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Price levelled the blame at two teenage boys who were arrested in connection with his son’s death, which included the victim from the Northwich attack. Despite the arrests, no charges were ever brought against the pair, and a coroner has since ruled an open verdict.
Price was said to be unhappy with the outcome of the police investigation into his son’s death — so he decided to take the law into his own hands in a carefully planned attack.
That’s when his surveillance started. In the weeks leading up to attack, Price purchased a tracker — which he installed on the victim’s car to monitor his every movement.
He followed his would-be victim for several weeks, and decided to finally confront him on Thursday, September 23, 2021, outside a gym on the outskirts of Northwich town centre. He arrived at the gym, on Leicester Street, just before 7pm.
He waited outside, armed with a machete and wearing a face mask to stop the victim from recognising him, and then followed him. Then, Price viciously attacked the teen from behind with a machete.
It’s estimated that Price stabbed the victim between 15 and 20 times. He eventually stopped his attack after the victim fell to the floor covered in blood, and then made off from the scene on foot before getting into a vehicle which was parked nearby.
Police and paramedics rushed to the scene, and the victim was rushed to Aintree Hospital where he received lifesaving treatment. While his victim was in hospital, Price went into hiding for ten days — but he was subsequently located and charged in connection with the incident.
After his arrest Price admitted carrying out the attack, he claimed that he had not intended to murder the victim but just wanted to harm him. However, after listening to all of the evidence he was found guilty of attempted murder.
Following today’s verdict Detective Constable John Corrigan, formally of Northwich Beat Team, who led the investigation said: “This was an absolutely terrifying ordeal for the victim, and I welcome the verdict that the jury have reached today.
“While I have sympathy for Price following the death of his son, there is no excuse for the actions he took on the night of the attack. Price attacked the victim from behind, leaving him totally defenceless, and specifically hit his leg to demobilise him.
“The attack lasted just 23 seconds, but during that time we estimate that the victim was stabbed between 15 and 20 times – including multiple wounds his head, arms, and right leg. I have no doubt that had it not been for the assistance provided to the victim by the public, along with the swift response of officers and paramedics, the outcome of this case could have been very different.”
Chief Inspector Leeroy Moss, head of Northwich Local Policing Unit, added: “Thankfully, incidents of this nature are extremely rare in the Northwich area, however I understand that this attack caused shockwaves in the local community.
“I would like to reassure residents that we are committed to doing all we can to tackle knife crime. We will respond robustly to any knife related incidents and do all we can to ensure that anyone found to be carrying a knife or committing a knife related offence is brought to justice.
“Members of the public also have a vital role to play in our fight against knife crime by giving us information about crimes involving knives and those who carry weapons.”
To report any type of crime involving weapons please contact Cheshire Constabulary on 101, or 999 in an emergency.
Information can also be passed to the force online via www.cheshire.police.uk/ro/report or given to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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