Man convicted of attempted murder following revenge attack in Northwich

A man from Wigan has been found guilty of attempted murder after attacking a man with a machete outside a gym in Northwich.

Samson Price was convicted of the charge following a six-day trial at Chester Crown Court which concluded on Monday 6 February 2023.

He had also pleaded guilty to the charge of possession of a knife in a public place.

The 48-year-old of Sefton Road, Wigan, has been remanded in custody and will be sentenced on Thursday 23 March.

During the trial the court heard how Price’s son, Samson Jnr, drowned at Wigan Flash on Sunday 4 October 2020.

An investigation into the 18-year-olds death was undertaken by Greater Manchester Police and two teenage boys were arrested – including the victim from the Northwich attack.

However, no charges were ever brought against the pair, and a coroner has since ruled an open verdict.

Price was unhappy with the outcome of the police investigation into his son’s death so decided to take the law into his own hands in a carefully planned attack.

In the weeks prior to the attack Price purchased a tracker which he installed on the victim’s car to monitor his every movement.

After following him for several days Price decided to confront the victim on Thursday 23 September 2021 outside a gym on the outskirts of Northwich town centre.

Price arrived at the Leicester Street gym shortly before 6pm and waited outside armed with a machete and wearing a face mask to stop the victim from recognising him.

He then followed the victim as he exited the premises and repeatedly attacked him from behind with a machete.

During the attack it is estimates that the victim was slashed between 15 and 20 times.

Price eventually stopped his attack after the victim fell to the floor covered in blood, he then made off from the scene on foot before getting into a vehicle which was parked nearby.

Police and paramedics swiftly attended the scene, and the victim was rushed to Aintree Hospital where he received lifesaving treatment.

After making off from the scene Price went into hiding for ten days, but he subsequently handed himself in and was charged in connection with the incident.

After his arrest Price admitted carrying out the attack, he claimed that he had not intended to kill the victim but just wanted to harm him.
However, after listening to all of the evidence he was found guilty of attempted murder.

Following today’s verdict Detective Constable John Corrigan, formally of CID, who led the investigation said:

“This was an absolutely terrifying ordeal for the victim, and I welcome the verdict that the jury have reached today.

“While I have sympathy for Price following the death of his son, there is no excuse for the actions he took on the night of the attack.

“Price attacked the victim from behind, leaving him totally defenceless, and specifically hit his leg to demobilise him.

“The attack lasted just 23 seconds, but during that time we estimate that the victim was slashed between 15 and 20 times – including multiple wounds to his head, arms, and right leg.

“I have no doubt that had it not been for the assistance provided to the victim by the public, along with the swift response of officers and paramedics, the outcome of this case could have been very different.”

Chief Inspector Leeroy Moss, head of Northwich Local Policing Unit, added:

“Thankfully, incidents of this nature are extremely rare in the Northwich area, however I understand that this attack caused shockwaves in the local community.

“I would like to reassure residents that we are committed to doing all we can to tackle knife crime.

“We will respond robustly to any knife related incidents and do all we can to ensure that anyone found to be carrying a knife or committing a knife related offence is brought to justice.

“Members of the public also have a vital role to play in our fight against knife crime by giving us information about crimes involving knives and those who carry weapons.”

To report any type of crime involving weapons please contact Cheshire Constabulary on 101, or 999 in an emergency.

Information can also be passed to the force online via www.cheshire.police.uk/ro/report or given to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.