A man launched a violent attack on two homeless people in broad daylight before brandishing a large knife. The shocking incident occurred at approximately 11:30 AM on Sunday, June 14, on Houghton Street in Liverpool city centre. A woman sustained a bloodied nose after being struck in the face, while a second man was also assaulted.
Witness Account
Matthew Harris, 56, was visiting Liverpool with his wife when he witnessed the attack. Speaking to the ECHO, he described the scene: "We were about to head back to the Holiday Inn when we saw a homeless woman sitting on a cushion on the floor. This man approached her and I honestly thought he was going to give her some money. The next thing, he lunged at her and hit her in the face with a wooden stick. He was pushing the end of the stick into her nose and striking her in the face. We were completely shocked. We couldn't understand why he was doing it."
Matthew, from Newcastle, said the man then walked away and targeted another homeless person nearby. "He carried on down the street and turned into a nearby square where there was another homeless man sitting in a tent in a doorway. That's when he hit him with the stick as well. The man got up and then the attacker pulled out this huge knife. It looked about eight inches long. When he pulled the knife out, I thought, he's already hurt someone with a stick - what's he going to do with that?"
Quick Action
Realising a police van was parked nearby, Matthew ran to alert officers. "We'd just been shopping by Primark and I remembered seeing a police van. I thought it would be much quicker than calling 999, so I ran back to tell them what had happened. Before the police arrived, some young Asian lads had managed to tackle him and get the knife away from him. You normally see things like this on the telly or YouTube, but seeing it happen right in front of you is chilling."
After returning to their hotel, Matthew and his wife later saw the injured woman. "We asked if she was okay and she said she was, but she had blood all over her nose. I assume the police asked if she wanted medical treatment, but she must have wanted to stay where she was. I'm just grateful nobody was seriously hurt. If the police hadn't been so close by, it could have escalated very quickly."
Police Statement
A spokesperson for Merseyside Police said: "We arrested and charged a man and seized a knife following an incident in Liverpool city centre on Sunday, June 14. At around 11:30 AM, officers were called to St John's Shopping Centre after a man was detained following reports he had assaulted a woman and a man on nearby Houghton Street, causing minor injuries. A knife was seized, although it was not used during the assaults."
Charges and Court Appearance
Scott Gledhill, 49, of Sterling Way, Kirkdale, was charged with two counts of assault by beating, possession of a knife in a public place, and affray. Gledhill appeared before Sefton Magistrates' Court on Monday, June 15, where he pleaded guilty to assault by beating, possession of a bladed article in a public place, and affray. He was remanded in custody and is due to be sentenced on July 13.
