Derelict paper mill grew to become a ‘magnet’ for teenagers till one get together obtained out of hand

The inside of the derelict paper mill where a teenager was set upon by a gang of machete-wielding youths who were ‘like a pack of gorillas’ has been revealed.

Last week, the Daily Star revealed how the skull of Tom Hilton, who was 17 at the time, was exposed during the shock attack, and he was also left with gaping wounds to his shoulders and legs when he was set upon at Old Paper Mill in Hermitage Street, Rishton, Lancashire in August 2021.

During the trial last year, Preston Crown Court heard how Mr Hilton had gone to the popular meeting place, but was chased by a group of boys he later described as “like a pack of gorillas.”

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He ran through the woods and onto the road, where the gang – including Danny Yakub, Connor Armstrong and Jay Slater – caught up with him, the court heard.

The baying mob of eight then surrounded him and launched a frenzied attack on the defenceless lad, using weapons or fists or encouraged the others. Judge Philip Parry said they acted together.

And now the inside of the grim venue has been revealed to be a derelict paper mill in Rishton.

According to a report from Lancs Line, crowds of up to 100 teens would push their way through the metal fence to meet with their friends away from the watchful gaze of the authorities and parents. They arrived on foot, by bike and in taxis to meet with each other in the dingy disused building – but on the evening of August 8, the party got seriously out of hand, leading to the attack on Jay Slater.

With broken glass and piles of rubble strewn around, youngsters gathered at the mill to drink alcohol and meet with friends. Some took drugs and others scrawled graffiti on the walls. It was dark, it was damp and it was derelict.

The building still stands, and is covered in graffiti – ranging from artistic to utterly crude – and access is gained by wadding through the shallow Shaw Brook, used by the mill at the time, or by accessing it from the gated from area by Holt Mill Bridge.

Google Map images taken a year after the attack show that the fences are still crumpled in a heap, while most of the surrounding land is actually overgrown.

Most of the windows are bricked up, although the top ones are only boarded up with wood.

There does, however, appear to be a gaping hole at the back where access could easily be gained.

All those involved avoided jail, with the judge deciding to take a more rehabilitative approach when sentencing them for violent disorder and further offences including witness intimidation, attempted robbery and conspiracy to supply class A drugs.

The sentences handed down were:

• Danny Yakub, 18, of Blackburn Road, Great Harwood – 18-month community order with 25 days rehabilitation activities and 180 hours of unpaid work.

• Connor Armstrong, 19, of Christ Church Street, Accrington – two-year community order with 35 days rehabilitation activities and 200 hours of unpaid work.

• James Meagre, 18, of Tinker Brook Close, Oswaldtwistle – two-year community order with 25 days rehabilitation activities and 200 hours unpaid work.

• Davis Hargreaves, 18, of Plantation Road, Accrington – two-year community order with 35 days rehabilitation activity requirements and 200 hours unpaid work.

• Kane Taylor, 20, of Ripon Road, Accrington, was given an 18-month community order with 25 days rehabilitation activities and 150 hours unpaid work

• Jay Slater, 18, of Fountains Way, Accrington – 18-month community order with 25 days rehabilitation activities and 150 hours unpaid work.

• A 16-year-old who cannot be named for legal reasons – 18-month youth referral order with 18 months supervision, 91 activity days a four month curfew and an intervention plan.

• A 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons – 18-month youth referral order with 18 months supervision, 91 activity days a three month curfew and an intervention plan.

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