Ill-feeling between former friends led to Trimdon street hammer attack

But after windows were put out on either party’s side, Craig Maughan took matters further, carrying out a hammer attack as his victim was receiving treatment from an ambulance crew for injuries to a hand in the early hours of August 8, 2021.

Durham Crown Court heard that the eventual outbreak of violence evolved from an earlier disagreement, resulting in alleged “staring” between those involved as they drank in separate groups in a local pub.

Uzma Khan, prosecuting, said the eventual victim noticed Maughan’s group had left the premises and he and his family also departed the pub, at 1am, but they went on to discover a living room window smashed and damage to his girlfriend’s car.

Read more: Quartet jailed in separate cases at Durham Crown Court recently

As a result, a further window was said to have been put out in retaliation and an ambulance was called due to injuries to the complainant’s hand.

Miss Khan said while being treated by paramedics in the street, in Trimdon Station, the victim was confronted by the hammer-wielding Maughan, who appeared to have tried to conceal his identity by covering his face.

As the ambulance crew members lifted the already injured casualty into the vehicle for protection, Maughan lunged forward and thrust the hammer into his shins, delivering two forceful blows.

Miss Khan said the father of the injured man also suffered a slight injury to his hand in trying to fend off one Maughan’s lunges with the hammer.

The casualty was then taken to hospital for treatment for an un-displaced fracture to the right tibia, requiring a plaster to be placed onto his lower leg, meaning he had to use crutches.

In a victim statement read to the court the injured man said it had a big impact on his life, preventing him participating in leisure activities, leaving him unable to work and causing him to have subsequent nightmares.

Miss Khan said the victim also stated that he suffered depression in the immediate aftermath of the attack, leading to him, “shutting himself off from the world.”

When eventually arrested, the defendant made no replies to police questioning.

The 30-year-old defendant, of Beech Grove, Trimdon Station, admitted offences of causing grievous bodily harm with intent, and carrying an offensive weapon, at a recent plea hearing.

Read more: Six people jailed in cases at Durham Crown Court this week

His record was said to feature seven convictions for ten offences, including affray, burglary and causing grievous bodily harm, for which he was jailed and on post-sentence supervision at the time of latest offending, in August 2021.

Miss Khan said an accomplice of Maughan at the scene of the incident admitted possessing an offensive weapon, a baton, and a charge of affray, for which he received a 44-week prison sentence.

Christine Egerton, in mitigation for Maughan, told the court: “It’s a very sad case, as he was good friends with the victim.

“There was a falling out over a broken window, and he acted as he did in drink.

“He lost his temper and behaved appallingly, as we have seen.

“He is sorry and communicated that to the author of his pre-sentence probation report.

“He’s very sorry for what he did to his old friend and wishes he had not done what he did.”

Miss Egerton said Maughan has been subject of a custodial sentence in the past when he complied well with the prison regime.

She added: “He understands what is going to happen today.

“He has family support, but he knows he will be missing home as a consequence of his own offending.”

Passing sentence, Recorder Tom Moran told Maughan: “You’re 30 and have several past convictions, including some for violence, and previously received a 16-month sentence.

“Something went on in that pub on August 7, 2021, but it’s not entirely clear what.”

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The recorder said following the subsequent window damage, the defendant was, “determined to get revenge”, despite his victim being treated at an ambulance at the time.

He said that Maughan was joined by an accomplice with an extendable baton, and although his victim was being placed in the ambulance, he carried out the “planned attack”, at a time the other man was offering no threat.

Allowing a 25-per cent discount on sentence for the defendant's admissions at the plea hearing, Recorder Moran imposed a total four-year prison sentence.