Three jailed after Telford pub landlord stabbed as he lay on the ground

Matthew Voyce, 41, and his brother Ian Voyce, 29, and Liam Thomas, 32, attacked David Wilkes, landlord of the Queens Arms in Dawley Bank, Telford, after he barred Thomas's family from the pub, Shrewsbury Crown Court heard.

Armed with a hunting knife and a blade, the three men, one of whom sparked a police hunt in the hours after the attack, set about Mr Wilkes, kicking and beating him before he was stabbed in the thigh, the court heard yesterday.

The three men admitted assaulting Mr Wilkes on July 23 when they appeared in court.

Ian Voyce, of Withywood Drive, Malinslee, further admitted possession of an offensive weapon, and Liam Thomas further admitted having a bladed article in his possession.

Mr Kevin Jones, prosecuting, said Mr Wilkes had been hanging flower baskets outside his pub in Dawley Bank when his girlfriend alerted him that the three men were walking towards him.

"He had known them for a number of years," said Mr Jones.

"He was standing on a ladder hanging the baskets. Thomas kicked the ladder causing Mr Wilkes to fall approximately 6ft to the ground.

"Thomas had a knife which he had pulled either from a bag or from his waistband.

"He then stabbed towards Mr Wilkes approximately 10 times at his chest.

"Matthew Voyce started kicking him on the ground and he tried to protect himself.

"At the same time as being attacked by Matthew Voyce and Thomas, Ian Voyce stabbed him in the right thigh. Mr Wilkes managed to get to his feet and asked them what they thought they were playing at. He was bleeding and when treated in hospital he was found to have a stab wound to the right thigh and abrasions to his head, back, arm and fingers."

Mr Kevin Greco, for Thomas, of King Street, Dawley, said: "Thomas had understood that Mr Wilkes had made threats towards his family.

"However, if there were problems, real or perceived, the authorities should have been informed."

Mr Lee Egan, for Mathew Voyce, of Withywood Drive, Malinslee, said: "He accepts responsibility for kicking Mr Wilkes to the body. He did not have a knife. There were no serious injuries caused."

Mr Paul Smith, for Ian Voyce, for whom police issued a media appeal after the attack, said: "At times of stress he does become more aggressive. Just prior to the attack he had sought medical help for this."

Judge Paul Barrie, sentenced the men to 16 months imprisonment, eight to be spent in custody and the rest to be spent on licence.

Thomas and Ian Voyce were both sentenced to a further six months, to run concurrently, for having knives or bladed articles.