John Henry Sayers' barrister told a jury that an organised crime group, identified in court as the Freemans, would be laughing at him standing trial, asking: "Why should he bow down to them?" Sayers and his son are accused of attacking Walter Patterson, a 'foot soldier' for the Freemans, with a machete and metal pole after Patterson allegedly torched a car driven into their home in Byker, Newcastle.
Closing Arguments at the Old Bailey
Michael Holland KC, representing Sayers senior, delivered his closing speech at the Old Bailey, emphasising that the Freemans are "laughing" because Sayers is being prosecuted for defending himself. Holland stated: "If you listen carefully, you can hear the sound of laughter. It’s 295 miles to Walker in Newcastle. Listen carefully and you will hear the Freemans laughing. They’re laughing because the people they sent to set fire to Mr Sayers’ home with him in it and (a child) in it, when they were eventually prosecuted, they were prosecuted not for a serious offence such as attempted murder but for arson being reckless - not intending to endanger life but being reckless."
Holland highlighted that two of the Freemans' foot soldiers were previously prosecuted for arson, not attempted murder, despite the attack on Sayers' home. He argued that the gang's laughter stems from seeing Sayers in the dock for having "the nerve to take them on."
Self-Defence and Family Protection
The barrister described a "fireball" reversed into Sayers' home while he and his family were inside, calling it a "life-threatening attack." He said: "Mr Sayers doesn’t know what to expect when he comes round the corner." Holland dismissed the prosecution's suggestion that Sayers should have checked if he needed the machete or issued a warning, calling it "ridiculous" given the circumstances.
Holland argued that Sayers had no reason to believe Patterson was alone, noting that "that’s certainly not the Freemans’ MO." He described the situation as "fight or flight," with flight impossible because a child was upstairs, leaving only the option to fight.
Criticism of Prosecution and Police
Holland criticised the prosecution for suggesting Sayers should have testified about the Freemans' activities, saying: "Whether Mr Sayers, after this trial, is at liberty or in custody, what do you think the Freemans would call him for giving evidence about him? Grass? Snitch?" He called the idea that Sayers would not fear retaliation "ridiculous."
The barrister also questioned the prosecution's stance on whether Sayers believed he was under attack, stating: "The prosecution can’t dispute Mr Sayers himself was under attack. They try facing both ways on this." He argued that a man under attack is entitled to defend himself, his family, and his property, and to detain the attacker for arrest.
Actions After the Incident
Holland pointed to the Sayers shouting "woo hoo, over here" to police who arrived but missed them, asking: "Is that what you do when you’ve been hitting someone on the head with a machete?" He noted that Sayers immediately told police to get Patterson medical help, adding: "These are not the actions of someone who’s just been in the process of hitting someone on the head with a machete."
Holland also highlighted that Patterson fled the scene while police tasered Sayers, suggesting there may have been another potential assailant in the 20 minutes before police found Patterson. He said prosecutors should call Patterson as a witness if they are confident no further attack occurred.
Allegations of Police Corruption
Holland revealed that Sayers "clearly believes there are elements of Northumbria Police that are corrupt" and that "there are members of the Freeman group they are protecting." However, the law prevented him from questioning police officers about this in court.
He concluded: "Why should he bow down and say ‘yes I’m scared, I won’t dare raise my face in public against you’?" Noting that Sayers had not reacted violently to previous attacks over three years, Holland said: "He won’t trust the police and all he has done is protect his home and family while under attack from what the prosecution themselves are driven to admit are serious and violent organised criminals."
Trial Continues
Holland will resume his closing speech on Thursday morning. Sayers senior, 62, and Sayers junior, 29, both of Fossway, Byker, Newcastle, deny causing GBH with intent and inflicting GBH. The trial continues at the Old Bailey.
