Drug dealer snarled ‘I’ll show you who the gangster is’ before beating teen to death
A drug dealer who beat a terrified teenager to death in an internet café had snarled “I’ll show you who the gangster is” before the brutal murder.
Michael Toohey, 18, was murdered at the hands of three brothers, their friend and a 14-year-old boy who were all jailed for life over the grim killing.
Keiron Williams, 28, led the attack on the 18-year-old and was described as a prominent figure in an organised crime group rivalling in a “turf war” with another gang, LiverpoolEcho reported.
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Liverpool Crown Court has since heard the lead-up to the horrid murder, a gang attack that turned fatal after Mr Toohey had been spotted by members of a gang, who then charged after him.
(Image: PA)
Anthony Williams, 32, Steven McInerney, 32, and Michael Williams, 25, as well as the 14-year-old who cannot be named for legal reasons, were all part of the grim attack on Mr Toohey.
The 18-year-old found himself chased into an internet café and flanked by the five gang members, who “trapped” him, who was due to become a father, in the shop.
Judge David Aubrey, in sentencing, said: “You, Keiron Williams, were shouting ‘I’m gonna to stab you, I will kill you and I will not let you go from here. I will tell you who’s the gangster here’.
“You all had followed and surrounded him; he was very quickly punched to the floor by you Keiron Williams and was beaten to death by all of you acting together in concert.
(Image: Liverpool Echo)
Horrific injuries left on Mr Toohey following the assault led to his death, with a medical cause of death ruled as blunt force trauma after it was heard the 18-year-old had been stamped and kicked repeatedly in the head.
Judge Aubrey, continued: “All of you were involved either by inflicting violence, or by intentionally encouraging the violence and ensuring [witnesses] did not get involved.
“This was a group attack on a lone teenager who was targeted, then chased in a public place into a shop from where he could not escape. He was a frightened young man; he was just 18 years of age.”
Each man found guilty in the attack was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum term of 18 years, except for the 14-year-old boy who received life with an eight year minimum.
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