A dad who stabbed a man up to 20 times with a machete in a revenge attack outside a gym has been jailed for 30 years for attempted murder.
Police said Samson Price, 48, was 'unhappy with the outcome' of a police investigation into his son's death three years ago and 'decided to take the law into his own hands in a carefully planned attack' - even plating a tracker on the man's car.
His son, Samson Price Jnr, drowned in a lake at Westwood Flash in Wigan in October, 2020. He was aged just 18. Police said Greater Manchester Police launched an investigation and two people - then teenagers - were arrested. No charges were ever brought against them, however, and a coroner went on to record an open verdict at an inquest into his death.
One of them, from the Northwich area of Cheshire, was the man Price attempted to murder, Cheshire Police said in a statement after he was jailed on Tuesday.
Price, of Sefton Road in Goose Green, Wigan, denied the charge but was found guilty of attempted murder by a jury following a six-day trial held at Chester Crown Court in February. He also pleaded guilty to possession of a knife in a public place.
A judge passed a sentence which included a three-year period of extended licence following his release from prison.
Price launched his savage attack outside PureGym in Northwich, Cheshire, in September, 2021. Police said he 'meticulously' planned the attack and bought a tracker which he fitted to the victim's car to monitor his movements.
In the statement, Cheshire Police said: "After several weeks, he decided to confront his target outside Pure Gym on the outskirts of Northwich town centre, which he did on September 23, 2021.
"He arrived at the Leicester Street fitness centre just before 7pm and waited outside, armed with a machete and wearing a face mask to conceal his identity.
"When he saw his victim come out of the gym, Price followed him before attacking him with the blade from behind. It was estimated that Price stabbed him 15 to 20 times before leaving his victim on the floor, covered in blood."
Police said the victim went on to receive 'life-saving' treatment in hospital. Price went into hiding for 10 days, but was later found and arrested.
Following the sentencing Detective Constable John Corrigan, formally of Northwich CID, who led the investigation, said: "This was an absolutely terrifying ordeal for the victim, and I welcome the sentence that has been handed down 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: "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."
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