A year has passed since a teenager suffered life-changing injuries when his hand was “cut clean off” during an 18th birthday party in Huyton, Merseyside. The incident occurred on Colin Close in the early hours of Friday, September 26, when the 18-year-old sprinted into the Stanley Arms pub across the road with blood pouring from his arm.
Staff at the pub intervened just seconds before locking up for the night, called 999, and ordered an ambulance. Around the same time, people are believed to have fled the house, with one neighbour describing how a “group of lads burst out the back door”. Merseyside Police confirmed at the time that the man suffered “life-changing injuries” and that a 17-year-old girl also sustained minor injuries to her hand.
Seven arrested over 12 months
In the days that followed, unverified footage shared on social media appeared to show a severed hand on the floor of what is believed to be the kitchen of the property on Colin Close. A dog can be seen running around a room attached to the small kitchen.
Merseyside Police has been approached for an update on the investigation, with seven people arrested over the past 12 months. Those arrested include:
- A 19-year-old man from Liverpool on suspicion of possession of a knife/blade/sharp pointed article in a public place, section 18 grievous bodily harm with intent, and section 18 wounding with intent.
- An 18-year-old man from Liverpool on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class B drugs (ketamine and cannabis), possession of a controlled Class B drug (cannabis), and assisting an offender.
- A 16-year-old boy from Liverpool on suspicion of possession of a knife/blade/sharp pointed article in a public place, section 18 grievous bodily harm with intent, and section 18 wounding with intent.
- A 17-year-old boy from Liverpool on suspicion of assisting an offender.
- A 19-year-old man from Liverpool on suspicion of possession of a knife/blade/sharp pointed article in a public place, section 18 grievous bodily harm with intent, and section 18 wounding with intent.
- An 18-year-old man from Liverpool on suspicion of assisting an offender, possession with intent to supply a Class B drug (cannabis), and possession of a controlled Class B drug (cannabis).
- An 18-year-old man from Liverpool on suspicion of assisting an offender, criminal damage, possession of an offensive weapon in a private place, possession of a knife/blade/sharp pointed article in a public place, possession with intent to supply a Class B drug (cannabis), and possession of a controlled Class B drug (cannabis).
File passed to prosecutors
A file has been passed to the Crown Prosecution Service to consider charges, and Merseyside Police is waiting to hear back. All those arrested have been bailed pending further inquiries.
Detective Inspector Jimmy Rotheram said: “The investigation is ongoing and I hope our community is reassured following a number of arrests carried out since the incident last year. Although we’ve have made these arrests, we are still appealing for anyone with information to come forward. If you haven’t already done so, please let us know if you have any information that could assist our inquiries.”
Neighbour and pub staff describe aftermath
Speaking at the time, one neighbour said he witnessed a large group of people in the alleyway next to the row of houses on Colin Close, which connects Roby Road and Lawton Road. He said: “I was watching the aftermath of the Ryder Cup and I just saw this large group of young people appear in the alleyway just after midnight. They were there behind the houses and there was more than 10 but I couldn't be certain how many exactly.”
A spokesperson for The Stanley Arms said: “On Friday night our team were called on to help a local member of the community who came into our venue after closing time seeking help for a serious injury. Emergency services were called and the individual received treatment.”
Anyone with information should contact the Merseyside Police social media desk @MerPolCC on X and Facebook quoting reference 25000797038, report via the force’s website, or call 101. Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
