Ballymena, Northern Ireland – The Belfast Crown Court has sentenced four men for their involvement in a brutal attack and kidnapping incident in Ballymena in 2021. David Cherry, Glen Sheridan, Mark Bradshaw, and Sean Davies faced their sentences in court for their roles in the disturbing event.
Cherry, aged 41, received a 62-month sentence after pleading guilty to grievous bodily harm and kidnapping. Sheridan, 45, who had previously admitted to kidnapping, was sentenced to 57 months. Bradshaw, 53, also pleaded guilty to kidnapping and was given a 67-month sentence. Davies, 41, who admitted to arson, received a 28-month sentence.
Detective Inspector McCoy described the attack on the victim as one of the most violent and sadistic incidents he has ever investigated. The victim endured a prolonged assault, including being beaten, forced to strip down to his boxer shorts, and made to clean his own blood with his clothes. The assailants then stabbed and slashed the victim while laughing during the horrific ordeal.
Following the assault, the victim was taken by car and left unconscious in a field near Broughshane. He was later found in the field, wearing only boxer shorts, while his car was discovered burnt-out on the outskirts of Ballymena. The victim suffered severe injuries, including a stab wound to the chest, a fractured and detached jaw, facial and mouth injuries, and a skull fracture.
After a thorough investigation and with the assistance of the Public Prosecution Service, the defendants were held accountable for their actions. However, Detective Inspector McCoy noted that the victim and his family continue to endure the lasting emotional and physical scars from the barbaric attack. The victim spent weeks in intensive care, sustaining permanent damage to his facial nerves, a main artery blockage to the brain, and a permanent brain injury.
The court is set to sentence a fifth defendant who pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent and kidnapping at a later date. The case serves as a harrowing reminder of the impact of senseless violence on victims and their loved ones, emphasizing the need for justice and support for those affected by such heinous acts.