Wirral father and son at Liverpool crown court for ‘burglar’ beating

Nov 17 2010 by Gary Stewart, Birkenhead News

Father and son in court for ‘burglar’ beating

A FATHER and son have gone on trial charged with beating a suspected burglar so badly his ear was left hanging by a flap of skin.

Shane Blanshard, 49, and Sam Blanshard, 22, appeared at Liverpool crown court accused of alternative charges of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and inflicting grievous bodily harm after an incident involving a 16-year-old boy.

They deny attacking the boy.

Philip Astbury, prosecuting, told the jury that the victim and his friend were walking along Thingwall Road, Irby, on October 14 last year when they came upon a house owned by and being renovated by the accused.

He said: “He noticed the scaffolding, climbed to the top, and began to lark about on it. He was approached by a woman and ran off into nearby woods.”

The woman knew the Blanshards, of Ridgewood Drive, Pensby, and telephoned them.

Mr Astbury said they then drove in their white van near to the exit of the woods.

He said: “The boy emerged from the wood and as he did so he was confronted by Shane Blanshard. He was holding a big pole.