Thread: Alan Corney - Parkgate Murder

A Murder Inquiry has been launched after a father-of-two died in hospital after being assaulted on a street when he confronted a pair of youths for shouting and swearing.

Alan Corney, 67, suffered a head injury after he was assaulted by one of the youths while walking home with his wife in Parkgate just before 9pm on November 14.

After he challenged the two hooded youths about their loutish behaviour, the pair confronted him and one of them struck Mr Corney, knocking him to the ground.

This took place along The Parade, Parkgate, Neston in Merseyside. Anyone who knows the area and perhaps visits may be surprised. But then again many visit in daylight. It may be one of the many areas that are unpleasant and unsafe in darkness.

Unfortunately Alan is not the first and certainly will not be the last person who will be attacked in the street in circumstances such as these.

Somebody somewhere knows who did this. It would be part of the boasting process, looking big in front of your mate’s type of matter.

Turn them in on 0800 555 111 (Crimestoppers). Just give the information full stop.

Cheshire Constabulary is investigating this. It is a pity that they are still operating on a rip-off 0845 telephone number.

That number is 0845 458 0000 (Cost up to £2.50 pence a minute on mobiles).

Try 01244 350000 as an alternative - SAYNOTO0870.COM

Liverpool Echo by Luke Traynor - All Copyright Acknowledged

A TEENAGER accused of killing a Wirral pensioner will no longer face a manslaughter charge.

James Crawford, 18, is alleged to have headbutted Alan Corney, 67, on the Parade in Parkgate, Wirral, in November last year.

Three weeks later the dad-of-two collapsed and remained in a coma under sedation until he died nearly three months after the attack in February this year.

A murder hunt was launched by Cheshire Police and teenager Crawford was arrested on suspicion of killing the much-loved antique dealer.

But at Chester Crown Court a manslaughter charge was reduced to grievous bodily harm.

Medical experts ruled Mr Corney had a pre-existing medical condition and his death was not the result of the assault which left him with a fractured cheekbone.

Mr Corney suffered a blood clot on the brain and required emergency surgery from which he never woke up.

Pathologists, including a neuro specialist, examined Mr Corney and believe the pensioner’s medical history including two strokes, were responsible for his fatal injuries.

A two-day trial will now take place in July.

Detectives are understood to be “extremely frustrated” by the turn of events.

Michael Corney, the deceased’s son who attended court, was said to be “very upset” by developments

After his death distraught Michael spoke of how those who had attacked his beloved dad had “stolen his life.”

Mr Corney was walking home from the pub along Parkgate Parade with his wife Norma last November when the altercation took place.

Yesterday baby-faced teenager Crawford, dressed in a white shirt, spoke only to confirm his name and address and deny the GBH charge.

Mrs Corney may have to give evidence at the trial.

Defending Crawford, of Claypit Lane, Gresford, Wrexham, North Wales, Nicholas Mason made an application for bail.

But it was refused by the Recorder of Chester, Elgan Edwards.

Mr Corney was a retired plant manager at the Unilever factory in Port Sunlight, Wirral.

He had only recently sold his old house to Merseyside singing legend Gerry Marsden to move to Parkgate with his wife.

The attack and Mr Corney's subsequent death stunned the quiet community of Parkgate which is a popular destination for tourists and day-trippers.

It is hoped to post the result of this.

To see what British Justice now means.

But of course the accolade of being the most Violent
Country in Europe must not be easily given up.

Expecting Gordon Brown and his Clowns to do anything?

'No' comes an answer, increasing in volume as every violent day goes by.

Wrexham Chronicle by Paul Mannion - All Copyright Acknowledged

Wrexham teenager James Crawford sentenced to 18 months in young offenders institute after death of Parkgate pensioner Alan Corney

crawford.jpg

A TEENAGER who headbutted a pensioner then stood laughing as his victim fell into a road has been sentenced to 18 months in a young offenders institute after admitting assault occasioning grievous bodily harm.


James Crawford, 18, who was living in a hostel in Claypit Lane, Wrexham, was described as “out of control”, “sick” and “mad” as Warrington Crown Court heard about his attack on retired antiques dealer Alan Corney, 67, who later collapsed at home and died in hospital in February of this year.

Warrington Crown Court heard Crawford, who was drunk, and another youth, were outside Alan and Norma Corney’s home in The Parade, Parkgate, at about 8.30pm on Friday, November 14.


Duncan Bold, prosecuting, said: “The language they were using and their behaviour was described by Mrs Corney as disgusting and she felt intimidated and vulnerable.


“Alan Corney approached them and asked them to keep their language down and took hold of the defendant by his clothing.


“Although causing no real threat the defendant went ‘sick’ at Mr Corney, he went mad, jumped into the air and crashed down on to his face with his head.”


The court then heard how Crawford “jumped around excitedly and laughed” before running away.


Mr Corney, who walked with a limp and had a paralysed arm after two strokes before the attack, suffered a broken cheek bone and developed a blood clot on the brain after being headbutted.


He collapsed at home and died weeks later in hospital after brain surgery which left him in a coma.


Sentencing Crawford to 18 months, less the five months he has already served, judge Stephen Clarke said: “It has an all to familiar ring at what is happening time and time again in our villages, towns and cities.


“People act without any thought about the consequences of what they are doing and show the nearest respect to other human beings.


“Courts can only do so much, the real problems lie in our society which has lost respect for each other.


“You were aware of what you were doing and aware of who you were doing it to, an elderly gentleman old enough to be your grandfather, and I hope you are ashamed.”


My Comment: This sentence will be less than 9 months served in a YOI. Does this really protect the public and act as a deterrent? NO!