A dad placed a tracker on a teen's car before stabbing him 20 times with a machete outside a gym.
Samson Price was convicted of attempted murder following an six-day trial at Chester Crown Court which concluded on Monday, February 6. He had also pleaded guilty to the charge of possession of a knife in a public place.
The court heart how the 48-year-old of Sefton Road, Wigan, lost his son Samson Jnr, after he drowned at Wigan Flash on Sunday, October 4, 2020. An investigation into the 18-year-old's death was undertaken by Greater Manchester Police and two teenage boys were arrested.
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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 investigation into his son’s death and decided to "take the law into his own hands" in a carefully planned attack on one of the 18-year-olds.
In the weeks prior to the attack Price purchased a tracker which he installed on the victim’s car to monitor his every movement. in 2021, after following him for several weeks Price decided to confront the victim on Thursday, September 23 outside a gym on the outskirts of Northwich town centre.
Price arrived at the Leicester Street gym shortly before 7pm 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 left the gym and repeatedly attacked him from behind with a machete.
During the attack the victim was stabbed between 15 and 20 times. Price stopped his attack after the victim fell to the floor covered in blood, he then made off on foot before getting into a vehicle that was parked nearby.
Police and paramedics attended and the victim was rushed to Aintree Hospital where he received life-saving treatment. After making off from the scene Price went into hiding for ten days, but he was located and charged in connection with the incident.
After his arrest Price admitted carrying out the attack, he claimed 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.
Price was remanded in custody and will be sentenced on Thursday, March 23.
Following the 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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