Tyldesley: Trio convicted of 'unprovoked, senseless' murder

Ben Dawber and Kane Adamson, both 19, along with 20-year-old Joshua Prescott had been driving around Atherton and Tyldesley in the early hours of September 21 2021.

While driving they came across Thomas Williamson, a total stranger to them who had been out walking to ‘clear his head’, and viciously attacked him, leaving him for dead with multiple stab wounds.

Senior Crown Prosecutor Nicky Moore said: “Dawber, Adamson and Prescott were out that night looking for trouble.

“They carried out a brutal, unprovoked and senseless attack on a stranger."

The case was heard at Minshull Street Crown Court (Image: Newsquest)

Emergency services were called but Mr Williamson was pronounced dead at around 1.50am that morning.

Dawber, of Lord Street, Leigh, Adamson, of no fixed abode and Prescott, of Walter Street were arrested soon afterwards and have now been found guilty of murder after a trial at Minshull Street Crown Court.

Over the course of the trial, the court heard how Dawber, Adamson and Prescott had been driving around Atherton and Tyldesley on the evening of September 24 2021. 

Just before 1am the following morning the three tried to rob a man on Stanley Street in Atherton.

They demanded money and tried to grab the man’s house keys but Dawber and Adamson were disturbed by a neighbour who came out and shouted at them.

Later that morning the three became involved in an argument between a couple who had just left the Lounge Bar on Castle Street and another man.

During the argument one man was punched in the face and Dawber, Adamson and Prescott shouted to the man with his girlfriend, telling him to get in the car to look for the who had punched him.

The four of them then drove around the streets looking for the other man at around 1.25am came across Thomas Williamson, who had been taking a walk to ‘clear his head’, the court heard.

The man who had joined Dawber, Adamson and Prescott earlier took the opportunity to leave the area but the three, having mistaken Mr Williamson for the man who threw the punch earlier, attacked him.

The left him with stab wounds, including an injury to his chest had penetrated his heart.

Dawber, Adamson and Prescott denied being involved in the murder but have now been found guilty after a four week trial.

Adamson and Dawber had already pleaded guilty to the earlier attempt robbery on Stanley Street Atherton.

Ms Moore said: “The CPS worked with GMP’s Major Incident Team to build a compelling case to place before the jury, including CCTV evidence, eyewitness testimony, mobile phone evidence and mobile phone positioning data to show the three were together before and after the murder.

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“The jury found all three guilty of murder.

“My thoughts are very much with Thomas’s family.

“Nothing can bring him back, but I hope knowing Thomas’s attackers have been brought to justice will bring them some comfort at this difficult time.”

Dawber, Adamson and Prescott will be brought back to court to be sentenced at a later date.