1:02pm Saturday 27th January 2007
By Edward Chadwick
A THUG who battered a disabled man in an unprovoked attack has been jailed for two years.
Glen Morton, who is 59-years-old, but with the mental age of a child, was walking alone towards his home in Halliwell, when he was confronted by a gang of youths, including Thomas McCrea.
One of the group was heard to shout "get him" before 22-year-old McCrea broke away and walked towards Mr Morton.
Teenage witnesses, who had been among the gang, reported to police that McCrea punched the defenceless man several times in the face before he lifted his hands to protect himself and pleaded: "Get off me. I haven't done anything."
McCrea, formerly of Hughes Street, Halliwell, but now of Blackpool, was then seen to hit Mr Morton four more times before a second youth - who cannot be named - joined in and kicked the terrified victim.
McCrea was sentenced to two years behind bars at Bolton Crown Court yesterday after pleading guilty to the attack. Mr Morton's brother, Wayne Morton, said: "It's a weak sentence and the justice system has let us down after the police did a lot of excellent work to track McCrea down and get him before the courts.
"Two years for this lad will be a piece of cake while Glen is still suffering.
"His confidence has gone when he's out and about and he gets very nervy with people when they come close to him.
"All the work that had been done with Glen to get him into a lifestyle where he felt confident and comfortable with other people has gone out of the window."
Mr Morton was walking home from an activity centre for people with special needs, where he had been playing bingo and snooker, at 10.30pm on November 19, 2005 when he came across the gang on Felton Walk.
Jon Savage, prosecuting, told the court that the attack only came to an end when one of the gang recognised Mr Morton and went to his aid.
Two teenage girls later gave the names of McCrea and the 16-year-old attacker to police after seeing the horrific injuries suffered by the victim when his family made an appeal in The Bolton News.
Mr Morton suffered a broken cheek bone and eye socket which required reconstructive surgery and a metal plate.
Brian McKenna, defending, said McCrea suffered from low IQ and was drunk at the time.
Sentencing McCrea, Recorder Simon Newell said: "Despite your difficulties, I'm certain you know the difference between right and wrong.
"You attacked a man who was unable to defend himself and he now carries a metal plate in his cheek as a permanent reminder of this appalling attack.
"To a large extent, you have ruined his life."
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