Hartlepool brothers who took part in near-fatal road rage attack jailed for 14 years at Teesside Crown Court
Two brothers who took part in an armed road rage attack which nearly killed a van driver have been jailed.
Logan Lawson, 19, stabbed and slashed the man more than a dozen times, causing life-threatening injuries.
His brother Layton, aged 23, also joined in by punching the victim, Teesside Crown Court heard.
The exact reasons for the attack remain a mystery, but the court heard there was some run in between the victim – who was driving his work van – and Logan Lawson, in a silver Seat Ibiza.
Lawson then pulled suddenly in front of the victim and guided him to outside his brother’s address nearby in Muir Grove, Owton Manor on the evening of November 4 last year.
Prosecutor Lee Fish said: “Following a disagreement about driving... the victim was subjected to a sustained and brutal assault which both of the Lawson brothers participated in.
“Logan Lawson had a bladed article and caused multiple wounds and stabbed the victim in the chest.
“Layton Lawson joined in and punched him several times.”
After the stabbing Logan, who was intoxicated on the sedative temazepam, then slashed the man’s van tyres, affecting his ability to escape and raise the alarm.
He suffered “catastrophic” blood loss from a deep wound to his armpit and needed emergency surgery.
Mr Fish added: “Without the treatment that he received as quickly as he received it, he would have died.”
Police recovered a blood-stained axe from the scene, but it is thought a machete-like weapon was responsible for the victim’s injuries.
The court heard it has had a “profound psychological effect” on the man.
Logan Lawson, of Motherwell Road, Hartlepool, pleaded guilty to wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.
Stephen Constatine said in mitigation: “He’s not somebody that goes out and seeks violent confrontation with people.”
Layton, of Muir Grove, who had no previous convictions, admitted grievous bodily harm.
Representing him, Rod Hunt said he foolishly joined in the attack in “brotherly loyalty gone too far”.
Judge Jonathan Carroll said: “This was an act of road rage of a very significant proportion.”
Logan Lawson was classed as a dangerous offender and jailed for 10 years and 10 months and given two years and two months extended licence.
Layton Lawson was sentenced to 38 months imprisonment.