Two individuals embraced an elderly man before launching a brutal assault that rendered him unconscious.
Paul McCann, aged 66, expressed how his sense of security had been severely impacted by the attack, leading him to feel unsafe in Liverpool city centre and contemplate relocating from Merseyside. On the night of October 20, 2024, after a night out with friends, Paul was walking alone when he encountered a homeless woman named Cheryl Driver in a wheelchair and engaged in conversation with her, as revealed in court.
During the incident, Michael Coyle and Keith White were with Cheryl. CCTV footage captured White approaching Paul, hugging him, and then engaging in a physical altercation where Paul pushed him away and received punches from Coyle while White restrained him. Following further aggression, they left Paul on the ground, causing him to briefly lose consciousness after being kicked.
Upon regaining consciousness, Paul sought help at a nearby hotel, where the authorities were contacted. Despite experiencing rib pain and bruises that suggested potential fractures, Paul left the hospital untreated due to long wait times and the need to attend to his dogs at home.
In a statement read in court, Paul described the physical and emotional toll of the attack, highlighting his heightened awareness of his surroundings and diminished sense of security. The assailants, identified through CCTV footage, had prior criminal records, with White having a history of multiple convictions for various offenses.
During the court proceedings, Coyle expressed remorse for his actions and highlighted his efforts to address substance abuse issues during his time in custody. Despite his troubled past, Coyle’s defense highlighted his willingness to comply with requirements for rehabilitation and housing upon release.
Both Coyle and White pleaded guilty to affray on the scheduled trial date, leading to their imprisonment for six months each. The sentencing judge acknowledged White’s progress in overcoming drug addiction and the challenges he faced, while recognizing Coyle’s remorse and history of substance misuse.
The court’s decision reflected the severity of the offense, with no grounds found for a suspended sentence in either case.
