Mob attack 'a bid to kill' disabled man

May 3 2007

THREE men have denied attempting to murder a disabled Birmingham man in a 'ferocious' assault.

Wheelchair user Craig Robins was smashed in the face with a brick and stabbed repeatedly in the face and neck, Birmingham Crown Court was told.

Kyle Smith, 19, of Rowley Close, Hednesford, near Cannock, Gavin Brown, 22, of Hillside Close, Hednesford, and James Milligan, 26, of Moss Road, Cannock, pleaded not guilty to attempted murder and violent disorder.

Smith and Milligan denied wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, which Brown admitted.

A 16-year-old youth denied violent disorder.

Michael Burrows, prosecuting, said Mr Robins, aged 28, was attacked as he sat in his car in Hednesford last October 30, and was still in a coma.

One defendant told Staffordshire Police that Mr Robins had "blood p***ing out of him" when he left him, Mr Burrows said.

"So ferocious was the attack launched upon Craig Robins that he has never been recovered sufficiently to give an account of what happened.

"What is clear is that Craig Robins was alone in his car. He was attacked by a mob and could not have put up much, if any, resistance.

"He was, quite literally, a sitting target."

Mr Robins, who repairs jewellery for a living, was paralysed from the chest down after a car accident 10 years ago. He uses a wheelchair and drives a specially modified car.

The court heard that on the evening of the attack Mr Robins had gone to Hednesford from his home in Birmingham armed with a machete to seek retribution for his car tyres being slashed.

Mr Robins drove around looking for a gang he believed were responsible, and ended up outside a house where the defendants were at a party.

Mr Burrows told the court that a mob of 20-30 people then set upon Mr Robins.

(Proceeding)