A drug dealer snarled "I'll show you who the gangster is" before beating a terrified teenager to death in an internet café, a court was told.
Three brothers, their friend and a 14-year-old boy were jailed for life today 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.
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Liverpool Crown Court heard today how Mr Toohey, who was due to become a father 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.
The boy knew Keiron was on the lookout for Mr Toohey, and "called in" the sighting to Keiron's brother, 25-year-old Michael Williams. In a flurry of calls, Michael 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 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.
Judge David Aubrey, KC, sentencing, told the adult killers: "It was a swift but brutal, ferocious and sustained attack upon him. Michael Toohey had jumped over the counter, scared, terrified and shaking. [A witness] gave evidence that Michael Toohey was shouting 'Help me save me, save me'. You, Keiron Williams, were shouting 'I'm gonna to stab you, I will kill you and I will not let you go from here. I will tell you who's the gangster here'"
The court heard Mr Toohey ran to the back of the shop and the four adult men followed. Judge Aubrey said: "Having gone over the counter, Michael Toohey ran to the back of the café, which was a small, confined space. He had nowhere else to go. He was trapped.
"You all had followed and surrounded him; he was very quickly punched to the floor by you Keiron Williams and was beaten to death by all of you acting together in concert. All of you were involved either by inflicting violence, or by intentionally encouraging the violence and ensuring [witnesses] did not get involved."
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, a 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.
During the trial last month, the Williams brothers claimed they had rushed to the scene because they were told Mr Toohey had threatened the 14-year-old boy with a knife. While Mr Toohey had been in possession of two knives when he was found fatally injured, CCTV and witness evidence revealed the claim was nonsense and he had not produced the knife before the attack.
Judge Aubrey said he was satisfied "this was no rescue mission" and said the gang intended for the 18-year-old to be "taught a lesson".
The court did hear that Mr Toohey had been chased by Keiron Williams before. Judge Aubrey said: "I am satisfied that Michael Toohey was targeted, and whilst it cannot be said that there was necessarily any significant planning, or premeditation, on the particular day, I am satisfied that he had been chased before and you, Keiron Williams, had instructed others to be 'on the lookout' for him and once located, your team would move into action, as you did so, by all of you quickly making your way to where Michael Toohey was.
"This was a group attack on a lone teenager who was targeted, then chased in a public place into a shop from where he could not escape. He was a frightened young man; he was just 18 years of age. Regrettably, and which is far too prevalent and a real issue for society, he carried two knives for his own protection. However, as I have already stated. I am satisfied on the evidence he did not produce them and at the time posed no threat to you."
Earlier in the hearing, Gordon Cole, KC, prosecuting, read a harrowing victim personal statement written by some of Mr Toohey's family. He told the court: "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."
John Jones, KC, representing Keiron Williams, said it had been accepted that while the gang intended to cause serious harm there was not an intention to kill Mr Toohey. He also told the court: "If a turf war existed, which is by no means clear, it is certainly also by no means clear that was the reason for this attack."
Anthony Berry, KC, representing the 14-year-old boy, told the court the boy had been "dealt a rotten hand in life" and in 2018 had witnessed serious violence between his parents which led to the involvement of social services.
He said: "Despite his conviction he is still a child, he is no more than that, he was dealt a pretty rotten hand, and he must pay the penalty for his pride."
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, who led the investigation, said after the hearing: "Michael’s death illustrates the devastation that acts of violence has not just on the victim, but families, friends, those who witnessed it including people who work in the emergency services, and the wider community.
"Those involved in serious and organised crime need to understand they are masters of their own destiny. The choices they make can change lives and they must accept responsibility for their actions."
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