Three men have been formally charged following a serious assault and robbery in Liverpool city centre that left a man unconscious. The incident occurred in the early hours of Sunday, September 14, at the junction of Whitechapel and Richmond Street, a busy area known for its nightlife.
The victim, a man in his 30s, was discovered with serious injuries and had his mobile phone stolen. Following the incident, three suspects were arrested and have since appeared in court, where they were remanded into custody.
Key Takeaways
- A man in his 30s was assaulted and robbed at the junction of Whitechapel and Richmond Street around 1 am on Sunday, September 14.
- Three men—Jack Berry, Daniel Dewart, and John McGuiness—have been charged with robbery and Section 18 wounding with intent.
- The victim was found unconscious with serious injuries and transported to a hospital for treatment.
- All three suspects appeared at Liverpool Magistrates' Court and were remanded into custody until their next appearance at Liverpool Crown Court on October 13.
Details of the City Centre Incident
Merseyside Police were called to a report of an assault at approximately 1 am on Sunday, September 14. According to the initial report, a group of men had attacked another man at the intersection of Whitechapel and Richmond Street.
Upon arrival at the scene, officers found a man in his 30s unconscious on the ground. He had sustained serious injuries consistent with a significant assault. It was also established that the victim's mobile phone had been stolen during the attack.
Emergency services provided immediate medical attention before the man was taken to a local hospital for further treatment. The area was cordoned off for a period to allow for a forensic examination of the scene.
Police Response and Arrests
Following the initial response, officers began immediate enquiries in the surrounding area. Information gathered at the scene led them to the nearby Queen Square bus station, a major transport hub in the city centre.
At Queen Square, police located and arrested three men in connection with the assault and robbery. The swift arrests were a result of coordinated efforts and rapid investigation in the moments following the incident.
Legal Context: Section 18 Wounding
The charge of Section 18 wounding with intent, also known as Grievous Bodily Harm (GBH) with intent, is one of the most serious offences of violence. It implies that the perpetrator intended to cause very serious harm to the victim. This charge carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment and is always tried in a Crown Court due to its severity.
Suspects Identified and Charges Laid
After being questioned by detectives, three individuals were charged with multiple offences. The Crown Prosecution Service authorised the charges based on the evidence collected by Merseyside Police.
The men charged are:
- Jack Berry, 28, of Gorsedale Road in Poulton. He has been charged with robbery and Section 18 wounding with intent.
- Daniel Dewart, 21, of Woodside Avenue in Swindon. He faces charges of assault by beating, robbery, and Section 18 wounding with intent.
- John McGuiness, 22, of Lucerne Road in Seacombe. He has been charged with robbery, Section 18 wounding with intent, and possession of a controlled Class B drug (cannabis/cannabis resin).
The inclusion of multiple charges for some of the suspects reflects the different alleged actions during the incident.
Court Proceedings and Next Steps
All three men appeared before Liverpool Magistrates' Court on Monday, September 15, to face the charges. During this initial hearing, the case was formally presented, and the defendants were identified.
Due to the seriousness of the charges, particularly the Section 18 wounding offence, the case was automatically sent to the higher court. The magistrates remanded all three men into custody.
Upcoming Court Date
Jack Berry, Daniel Dewart, and John McGuiness are scheduled to appear at Liverpool Crown Court on Monday, October 13. At this hearing, they will be expected to enter pleas to the charges against them. The case will then proceed towards a trial if not guilty pleas are entered.
The judicial process will continue over the coming months. The victim continues to receive medical care for the injuries sustained in the attack. Police have not released further updates on his condition at this time but have confirmed the injuries were serious.
Authorities have not issued any further appeals for information, as arrests and charges have been made in the case. The matter is now proceeding through the court system, where the evidence will be presented and examined in full.