Gang who brutally tortured two men for five hours jailed for 37 years

Gang members who tortured two men for five hours over a cannabis farm dispute have been jailed for a total of 37 years.

Shawn O’Malley and David Scurfield, both 32, and Billy McColl, 20, pleaded guilty in March and were sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court on Friday.

The group threatened the victims with a gun during the “brutal and sustained attack” in Garswood, St Helens, last September.

Both victims, in their 30s, were taken to hospital for treatment of multiple injuries, including fractures.

Shortly after 8.15pm on 14 September, 2020, officers were called to Crab Street by the ambulance service to reports of two men being assaulted.

An investigation established the victims had been subjected to a five-hour ordeal at a property in Garswood, in which they were assaulted and threatened with a firearm.

A non-corrosive substance was also thrown at the men.

The victims were taken back to Crab Street and further threats were made, before emergency services were called.

Detective Constable Phil Poynton said: “This was a brutal and sustained attack which resulted in serious injuries, threats and was a deeply traumatic experience for both victims to go through.

“Our investigation has established that the dispute centred around alleged cannabis production from rival criminals.

“That it should have escalated to such extreme violence is beyond belief and we’re pleased to see three dangerous men being removed from the streets for a long time.

“The production, storage and supply of drugs can, as in this case, lead to threats, violence and significant harm being caused in our communities.”

O’Malley, of Orford, was sentenced to 18 years in prison plus five on extended licence for two counts of section 18 wounding, two counts of false imprisonment and possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence

Scurfield, of Burtonwood, was sentenced to nine years in prison for two counts of false imprisonment and two counts of section 18 wounding

McColl, of Warrington, was sentenced to 10 years in prison for two counts of section 18 wounding, two counts of false imprisonment and possession of a firearm seized in Warrington.