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Three teenagers jailed after boy stabbed in heart and left for dead over Facebook row

The victim needed metal plates fitted to hold his chest together following the attack in March 

Hardeep Matharu
Thursday 29 October 2015 17:17 GMT
All three were sentenced to a total for 25 years for the offence of wounding with intent
All three were sentenced to a total for 25 years for the offence of wounding with intent

Three teenagers have been jailed after a boy was stabbed in the heart and left for dead following a row on Facebook.

Scott Fergie, 18, Matthew McCeod, 18, and 16-year-old Anthony Swainbank, were sentenced to a total of 25 years in prison yesterday for the attack on the 16-year-old in the town of Halewood in March.

A Merseyside Police spokesman said Swainbank had admitted wounding with intent and was given a sentence of seven years, while his cousin Fergie, and Fergie’s friend, McCeod were each found guilty of the same offence by joint enterprise and given nine years respectively.

All three had been cleared of the boy’s attempted murder and had no previous convictions.

Anthony Swainbank was sentenced to seven years in prison

The court had heard how the trio armed themselves before heading to Plantation Woods to confront a rival group, according to the Liverpool Echo.

The newspaper reported that Swainbank had told Fergie that the victim was bullying him and his cousin argued with one of his friends on Facebook the night before, during which threats had been exchanged.

The court heard how the victim’s chest had to be opened up during surgery and metal plates fitted to hold it together.

Scott Fergie was sentenced to nine years in jail

Detective Sergeant Paul Speight, of Merseyside Police, said: “This was a particularly nasty attack, which left a 16-year-old youth fighting for his life.

“Thankfully he has made a full recovery but this incident continues to have a profound effect on him.

“The sentences the three received… reflect the severity of the offences and how seriously the courts take this type of crime.”

Matthew McCeod was handed a nine-year prison sentence

He added: “The court heard how these offenders went equipped with knives and knuckle dusters to commit this offence.

“We are continuing to work with partners, to change the culture of people who carry knives and trying to reach young people at an early stage to help challenge the perception that knives are glamorous.

“All three offenders were previously of good character, and by picking up a knife they have not only seriously injured one young man but also destroyed their own lives. There are no winners in this case.”

The trio will serve their sentences in young offenders' institutions.

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