Two individuals embraced an elderly man before launching a brutal assault that resulted in him losing consciousness. Paul McCann, aged 66, expressed how his self-assurance was severely affected by the attack, leading him to feel unsafe in Liverpool city center and contemplate relocating from Merseyside. The incident occurred on October 20, 2024, when Paul, who had been out with friends, encountered a homeless woman named Cheryl Driver in a wheelchair while heading home alone around midnight.
Prosecutor Simon Leong detailed how Michael Coyle and Keith White were present with Cheryl at the time. White was seen on CCTV footage approaching Paul, hugging him, and subsequently engaging in a physical altercation. Coyle then proceeded to push and repeatedly punch Paul while White grappled with him. The pair eventually left Paul lying on the ground after swinging him around, causing him to briefly lose consciousness from being kicked.
Upon regaining consciousness, Paul sought help at a nearby hotel, where the authorities were contacted. Despite sustaining pain and bruising to his ribs, which he suspected were broken, Paul decided to leave the hospital without treatment due to long wait times and the need to attend to his dogs at home.
In a court statement, Paul expressed the excruciating pain he experienced due to his COPD when coughing frequently. He revealed his diminished confidence, avoidance of dark environments, and reluctance to enter Liverpool city center, indicating a significant impact on his daily life and mindset.
The attackers, identified through CCTV footage, were found to have prior criminal records. White had multiple convictions for various offenses, including robbery and unlawful wounding, while Coyle had a history of assault and criminal damage convictions.
During the court proceedings, Coyle and White admitted to affray charges, leading to a six-month jail sentence for each. The judge acknowledged White’s progress in overcoming drug addiction during his time in custody and highlighted Coyle’s remorse shown through his plea. The sentencing reflected the seriousness of the offense and the individual circumstances of the defendants.
Overall, the assault on Paul McCann underscored the lasting impact of such incidents on victims and emphasized the need for accountability and justice in addressing violent behavior.
