Four people jailed for ‘nightmarish’ attack and kidnap in Co Antrim which left the victim with a brain injury

FOUR men have been jailed for their roles in a brutal attack and kidnap in which the victim suffered a permanent brain injury.

David Cherry, Glen Sheridan, Mark Bradshaw and Sean Davies appeared at Belfast Crown Court on Thursday where they were given prison sentences of between 28 and 67 months.

After the verdict, a police spokesman said the case was “one of the most violent, disgusting and sadistic attacks I have ever investigated.”

Beaten and stabbed

The incident occurred at a house in Ballymena on October 11, 2021, with the victim subjected to a prolonged attack.

He was severely beaten, forced to strip down to his boxers and had to use his clothes to clean his own blood.

The victim lay on the ground and was unable to defend himself as he was stabbed in the chest with a knife and then slashed on both sides of his face.

“During the nightmarish attack the victim was kicked while constantly being forced to clean up the blood,” said Detective Inspector McCoy of the PSNI.

“Meanwhile, the defendants were laughing.

“This man was then taken by car and dumped like an object in a field near Broughshane.”

“The victim was later found lying unconscious in the field, wearing only his boxer shorts.

“The victim’s car was subsequently found burnt out on the outskirts of Ballymena.”

The victim remained in the intensive care unit under sedation for several weeks.

His injuries included a stab wound to the chest, a fracture and separation of the jaw, injuries to the face and palate, and a fracture to the base of the skull.

He also suffered permanent damage to facial nerves, a permanent blockage of a major artery in the brain and a permanent brain injury.

“Barbaric and senseless attack”

Bradshaw, 53, and Sheridan, 45, had both previously pleaded guilty to kidnapping and were sentenced to 67 and 57 months in prison respectively.

Cherry, 41, was sentenced to 62 months in prison after previously pleading guilty to aggravated assault and kidnapping.

Meanwhile, Davies, 41, was sentenced to 28 months in prison after pleading guilty to arson.

A fifth defendant, who previously pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm with intent and kidnapping, is scheduled to be sentenced at a later date.

“Today the defendants have been held accountable for their actions following a lengthy investigation and with the support of colleagues in the prosecution,” DI McCoy added.

“At the same time, I am sadly aware that this barbaric and senseless attack has left lasting scars, both emotional and physical.”

“The victim and his family suffered unimaginably.”