John Henry Sayers and his son, John Henry Sayers jnr, are standing trial at the Old Bailey in London, accused of causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Walter Patterson, a foot soldier of an organised crime group known as the Freemans. Both deny the charges.
Alleged Attack and Background
The prosecution alleges that on an unspecified date, the Sayers father and son attacked Patterson with a machete and a metal pole after catching him torching a car that had been driven into their home in Byker, Newcastle. Sayers snr is accused of striking Patterson with a machete, while Sayers jnr is alleged to have used a metal pole. The pair, both of Fossway, Byker, Newcastle, also deny the lesser alternative charge of GBH and are being tried by a jury.
Defense Closing Speech
On Wednesday, Michael Holland KC, representing Sayers snr, delivered his closing speech to the jury. He argued that the Freemans gang, which had repeatedly targeted his client, would be laughing at the trial. Holland said: “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.” He added that the gang sent foot soldiers to set fire to Sayers’ home while he and a child were inside, but those soldiers were only prosecuted for arson being reckless, not attempted murder.
Holland described a “fireball” reversed into Sayers’ home and said it was “ridiculous” to suggest that someone in that position should have first asked the attacker to stop before using a machete. He emphasised that Sayers faced a “life-threatening attack” on himself and his family.
Jury Directions and Additional Charge
Judge Philip Katz KC instructed the jury to base their decision on logic and reason, not guesswork or speculation. He informed them that an additional count of inflicting GBH had been added as an alternative to the charge of causing GBH with intent, with the difference lying in the defendant’s intent. The jury must consider the lesser charge if they are not sure on the more serious one.
Both John Henry Sayers and his son declined to give evidence in their own defense. The trial continues.
