Brother of cleared suspect in Kieran Williams murder investigation brutally attacked witness in Sunderland subway

A brute launched a "dangerous" attack on a witness who gave a statement to detectives in a murder investigation that involved his brother as a suspect.

Joe Cook arranged to meet the man in a subway at Pallion, Sunderland, and subjected him to a brutal beating that involved punches, kicks and being stamped on the head.

Newcastle Crown Court heard the shocking violence was captured on video and a copy of the footage came to the attention of the police.

Prosecutor Jon Harley told the court: "The victim had provided a statement to the police in relation to a murder investigation in which the suspect was the defendant's brother."

The court heard the victim of the violence did not make a complaint to police or give evidence during the subsequent trial, where the defendant's brother Ben Cook was acquitted of murder.

The 19-year-old, of Fordfield Road, Sunderland, had been accused of killing Kieran Williams, who was found buried in a makeshift grave in the city, but was cleared of involvement by a jury.

Mr Harley said the footage of the attack on the witness showed Joe Cook punch the witness repeatedly, until he ended up on the ground.

He then stood over him and launched more blows, followed by kicks, to his face.

Mr Harley added: "The defendant proceeds to stamp on the man's head."

The court heard during the violence Cook can be heard saying words to the effect of "statements against my family".

Mr Harley said Cook's phone was seized after he was arrested for the attack and he told the court; "Text messages show Mr Cooks's intention was to assault the victim on the basis he was a witness in the case against his brother."

Alisdair Campbell, defending, said what happened in the subway was "unpleasant" but the text exchange showed the men had agreed to meet for a "straightener" and there was "no hard feelings" afterwards.

He told the court: "It was, in fact, a meeting for a fight."

Mr Campbell said the victim of the attack had made a "false" statement to the police and was not considered reliable enough to give evidence at the murder trial.

Cook, 29, of Fordfield Road, Sunderland, admitted attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent and witness intimidation.

Miss Recorder Davies said the attack was "serious, dangerous violence" and sentenced Cook to 40 months behind bars.

The judge said text messages show the men had agreed to meet for a fight and added: "These offences were all part and parcel of the same event and resulted from a statement that he made in August 2022 to the police in relation to a murder investigation in which the suspect was the defendant's brother."

She added that what is shown on the footage was predominantly a "one way attack" and told Cook: "It was a sustained, persistent and dangerous attack".