A mum spoke of how she wakes up screaming in the night after seeing her son's lifeless body on the floor.
Three brothers, their friend and a 14-year-old boy were jailed for life on Friday for the ferocious and brutal murder of 18-year-old Michael Toohey on London Road, Liverpool City Centre, on April 16 last year. Leading the attack was Keiron Williams, 28, described as either the head or near the top of an Everton based organised crime group involved in a "turf war" with another gang, although the full facts of the rivalry are not clear.
Liverpool Crown Court heard how Mr Toohey, who was due to become a dad for the first time, had taken a bus to London Road and arrived at around 5.30pm, where he spotted some friends and stopped for a chat. What he did not realise was that he was being watched by the 14-year-old boy, who cannot be named due to his age.
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The boy knew Keiron Williams was on the lookout for Mr Toohey, and "called in" the sighting to Keiron Williams' brother, 25-year-old Michael Williams. In a flurry of calls, Michael Williams in turn told the third brother, Anthony Williams, who then called Keiron Williams.
Those calls set in motion a gang attack that ended in murder. Within minutes, Keiron Williams had arrived on scene in a white Golf estate, and chased Mr Toohey, who tried to cycle away before throwing his bike to the ground and running into the Mobiles Junction internet café, with Keiron Williams in hot pursuit.
Meanwhile Anthony Williams, 32, and his friend, 32-year-old Steven McInerney, arrived on pedal bikes while Michael Williams also pulled up in a blue Ford Tourneo. The group charged into the shop after Keiron Williams.
Mr Toohey suffered horrific injuries in the assault. A pathologist found multiple bruises to the head and neck caused by multiple blows, some with patterning consistent of footwear, and ruled the medical cause of death was blunt force trauma. Judge Aubrey said he was satisfied on the evidence that Mr Toohey had been repeatedly stamped on and kicked to the head.
In a victim impact statement read out in court, Michael’s family spoke of how his mum was begging for paramedics to save her son's life as he lay lifeless on the floor.
The statement said: "On 16th April 2022 our young child Michael Toohey was brutally beaten to death. We received a phone call and rushed to the scene; there we witnessed the most horrific thing that will haunt us for the rest of our lives.
"Michael was lying motionless with paramedics doing CPR. Our mother crying desperately and begging for them to save her young child.
“Michael was 18-years-old, the youngest of our family hence we call him our young child. He had his whole life ahead of him, he had a baby on the way.
"He had started to turn his life around, moved into a new home with his partner and working with his brother in-law. Michael was excited and making future plans for the arrival of his baby, wanting to leave the past behind him and focus on his future goals.
“Michael was a loving son, a kind-hearted brother who would do anything for his sisters and devoted to his nieces and nephews. The impact which his tragic death has had on our family is something we fear will never ease or end.
“Our mother cries constantly and refuses to leave her bed for days on end, often waking up screaming in the night, she has been diagnosed with anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder, due to the things she witnessed that fatal day. We have watched our mother and father deteriorate, from the fun-loving parents and grandparents, into the heartbroken souls they've become.”
The family added: “We have watched Michael’s partner having to raise their baby boy on her own, as his daddy has been cruelly taken from him. Baby Michael Jr will never have that father and son bond, his daddy will not teach him to ride a bike, his daddy will not take him to football practice, all the things that a father and son should do together.
"That will not now happen, as our own young child was brutally beaten, and his life taken that day. Michael Jr must grow up and one day learn that his daddy was taken from him in the most unlawful way.”
Judge Aubrey passed the following sentences:
- Keiron Williams, of no fixed abode, was sentenced to life with a minimum of 18 years in prison
- Anthony Williams of Hillbrook Drive, Walton, was sentenced to life with a minimum of 18 years in prison
- Michael Williams of Carlake Grove, Walton, was sentenced to life with a minimum of 18 years in prison
- Steven McInerney, of no fixed abode, was sentenced to life with a minimum of 18 years in prison
- The 14-year-old boy was sentenced to life in detention with a minimum term of eight years in prison
Detective Chief Inspector Stephen McGrath said: “Firstly, our thoughts are very much with the family of Michael Toohey who are devastated by what happened to their son, and it has been heart-breaking for them to relive Michael’s final moments during this trial. Since Michael’s murder, his family have suffered immeasurable grief and distress. Our specially trained family liaison officers have provided ongoing support to his family throughout the investigation and the subsequent trial.
“This successful prosecution has been achieved because of the collective determination of staff from a wide variety of specialist departments within Merseyside Police. I would like to say thank you to members of the public who have provided us with information at various points in the investigation.
“No parent expects to bury their child at the age of 18, and I can’t begin to imagine what Michael’s mother and father are going through. Prior to his death, Michael had taken a bus to meet friends on London Road when he was chased and viciously beaten inside an internet café.
“Today, five people were sentenced for his murder. His life was cruelly and senselessly taken away just as he was about to become a father. Now his child will grow up never knowing him.”
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