Merseyside teenagers jailed for attack which left victim with hammer stuck in head

Oct 2 2012 by Gary Stewart, Liverpool Echo

TWO Merseyside teenagers were locked up for a total of 11 years after a “straightener” over Facebook comments left a boy with a claw hammer stuck in his head.

The horrific attack which happened in Wallasey on April 9 left the 17-year-old victim with a depressed skull fracture, but miraculously he was allowed home from hospital the next day.

Tempers flared after Santino Veste, 17, saw Facebook comments about his ex-girlfriend on Facebook and chipped in with his opinion.

Daniel Green, 18, who was with the girl’s sister, saw the thread and had a heated exchange with Santino Veste.

Their back and forth exchanges ended with him saying: “Meet me now lad. I’ll f*** you up and that.

“I'm on my way, be ready lad, you are going to get hurt.”

He went to Strathcona Road, Wallasey, with a group of people including Samuel Case, also 18, who took a claw hammer with him.

Mr Veste had gone there with a friend, later telling police he didn’t believe Green would show up.

Simon Duncan, prosecuting, told Liverpool Crown Court: “Samuel Case ran ahead of the group and was the first to confront Mr Veste and tried to get him in a headlock.

“Mr Veste realised Samuel Case had a hammer in his right hand and tried to run away.

“He suddenly felt a severe pain in the back of his head and presumed he had been struck with the hammer and fell to the ground.

“He brought his arms up to protect his head and face and saw Daniel Green walk up to him and join in the attack by kicking.