Vicious self-named ‘thug’ jailed for brutal stabbing, threats and assault of police officer

A man who was part of a group that brutally stabbed and beat up a man in the street in Grimsby has been jailed for 15 years.

The incident on Monday, October 14, 2019, left the victim seriously injured and an investigation was launched. Four days later (October 18), the victim was approached in the street again by Liam Milligan, who intimidated him by making threats of violence.

He was the subject of a police wanted appeal, which at the time was in connection with an attempted murder, robbery with a weapon, threats to kill and theft, but he was later charged with different offences.

He was arrested on October 21 and found to be in possession of a knife and quantity of cannabis. He was taken to Birchin Way Custody Suite where he then assaulted a police officer.

Milligan, 23, of no fixed abode, who referred to himself as a “thug” in court, was also jailed for various other offences including assaulting a police constable.

Milligan was found guilty of section 18 assault, possession of an offensive weapon and witness intimidation at an earlier court hearing. This was in addition to entering a guilty plea to possession of class B drugs, possession of a bladed article and assaulting an emergency worker.

He was sentenced at Grimsby Crown Court during the afternoon on Thursday, February 27 for all the offences. He must also serve a further five years on license.

“No compassion or remorse”

Detective Inspector Kerry Bull, from Humberside Police’s Criminal Investigation Department, said: “This was a serious and unprovoked attack during which a man was stabbed multiple times, leaving him with numerous, serious injuries.

“Milligan then chose to seek out the same victim and intimidate him only a few days after in what must have been a terrifying ordeal.

“He gave no compassion or remorse for any of his actions, which was highlighted further in court where he even referred to himself as a ‘thug’ while giving his evidence.

“Milligan is a violent offender who showed complete arrogance and contempt to his victims, as well as the Criminal Justice process.

“He is now locked up for a very long time and I hope that he uses his stretch inside as an opportunity to reflect on the impact that his actions have had on the life of his victim, as well as for the local community he committed the offences in.

“I am extremely proud of all officers involved in this protracted investigation, as their tenacity and determination has led to this successful conviction. I hope this significant sentence sends a clear a message to those who choose to carry a knife and that it acts as a deterrent to those who demonstrate reckless violence with little regard of the consequences.

“We take all reports of knife crime extremely seriously and we work incredibly hard to take dangerous offenders off our streets to get them before the courts for justice to be served.”