The jury in the trial of John Henry Sayers and his son has retired to consider its verdicts at the Old Bailey in London. The pair, from Byker, Newcastle, deny causing grievous bodily harm with intent and the lesser alternative of inflicting GBH on Walter Patterson.
Alleged attack followed arson
The court heard that on the night of the incident, a Range Rover reversed into the Sayers family home in Fossway, Byker. Walter Patterson then set fire to the vehicle. The Sayers, father and son, went outside and allegedly attacked Patterson, with John Henry Sayers snr using a machete and his son John Henry Sayers jnr using a metal pole.
Patterson suffered serious injuries. The prosecution alleges the attack was an act of retaliation, while the defence argues the Sayers acted in reasonable self-defence after being targeted by an organised crime group in a series of previous incidents.
Jury deliberations
The jury was sent out to begin deliberations just after 2pm on Monday. They are expected to continue their deliberations on Tuesday morning. John Henry Sayers snr, 62, and John Henry Sayers jnr, 29, both of Fossway, Byker, Newcastle, deny causing GBH with intent and inflicting GBH.
The trial continues.
