Formby boy locked up for five years for stabbing teenager

A teenager stabbed another boy in Formby following a shooting in Formby.

Liverpool Crown Court today heard how 17-year-old William Cowley stuck a knife into a fellow 17-year-old’s kidney in an alleyway off Brows Lane.

Jurors heard the incident, on May 21 this year, came a week after shots were fired at Cowley’s home in Gardner Road in Formby.

Edmund Haygarth, prosecuting, said the boy was in Flames takeaway with his girlfriend when he spotted Cowley going into a Morrisons supermarket at around 6pm.

He said the teenagers had an argument leading to a “fist fight” in the alleyway between the two buildings.

A man who worked at the kebab shop ran out to intervene and came between the pair.

But Mr Haygarth said Cowley reached around him and stabbed the boy in the side of his body, causing a 10cm wound.

‘I’m going to prison for this, let me go, they are going to shoot me’

Cowley fled the scene and was chased by a group including the victim’s brother, who caught and attacked him near Holy Trinity Church.

An off-duty special constable passing by broke up the fight and arrested Cowley.

Mr Haygarth said: “Cowley made the significant statement: ‘I’m going to prison for this, let me go, they are going to shoot me’.”

Mr Haygarth said a gun was fired at Cowley’s house on May 14, but no-one was injured.

He said he would not name a teenager who has been arrested in connection with the shooting.

When interviewed by police, Cowley made partial admissions, claiming he did not bring the knife to the scene but picked it up off the ground.

Recorder Nicholas Clarke, QC, said: “He sought to justify the use of the knife.”

The court heard that the boy was taken to hospital in a critical condition having lost a large quantity of blood and needed an immediate blood transfusion.

He underwent emergency surgery with doctors needing to cut through his abdomen and repair the wound with 48 staples.

The boy, who has suffered nightmares and flashbacks, said he was left with a one-inch scar and it will be two years before he can play active sports again.

Cowley, with brown hair and wearing a black zip-up jacket in the dock, admitted wounding with intent and possession of a knife. He has four previous convictions including criminal damage, battery, possessing a Stanley knife at school and public disorder.

Jeremy Rowson, defending, said his client was vulnerable because he has autistic spectrum disorder and that his decision making was flawed as a result.

He said the stabbing took place in the context of the shooting and the complainant sought out Cowley when he was trying to leave the town.

Victim left with life-threatening injuries

Recorder Clarke said Cowley chose to carry the knife after the shooting and “when the opportunity arose” plunged it into his victim.

The judge said: “It is indicative of the degree of animosity and hostility between rival factions in the area.”

Recorder Clarke said Cowley left the boy with life-threatening injuries.

He said: “It was only the skilled medical attention and immediate blood transfusion that saved his life.

“The memory of that incident will be with him for a very long time and the scars are permanent.”

Recorder Clarke said he believed Cowley was a dangerous offender whose crimes were escalating in seriousness.

He sentenced the teenager to five year’s detention, with an extended three years on licence.

It means Cowley will spend at least two thirds of the custodial sentence behind bars.

A 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named due to his age, faces a possible trial in November connected to the shooting of Cowley’s home.

The boy is accused of five gun-related offences including possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life.

Top photo: William Cowley, 17, stabbed a fellow teenager in an alleyway off Brows Lane, Formby

Story and photo source: Southport Visiter