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Dad slashed teenager 20 times with machete in ‘revenge’ attack over son's death

Samson Price, 48, attacked an 18-year-old man who was previously arrested in connection with his son's drowning.

Samson Price, 48, stabbed a teenager 20 times with a machete outside a gym. (Reach)
Samson Price, 48, stabbed a teenager 20 times with a machete outside a gym. (Reach)

A dad stabbed a teenager 20 times with a machete outside a gym in a revenge attack over his son’s death, a court heard.

Samson Price, 48, attacked an 18-year-old man who was previously arrested in connection with his son Samson Junior’s drowning in Wigan in October 2020.

He followed the victim using a tracker placed on his car and slashed him as he left a gym in Northwich, Cheshire, in September 2021.

Price was convicted of attempted murder following a six-day trial at Chester Crown Court which concluded on Monday.

Samson Price Jnr, 18, was found dead in a lake in Wigan. (Reach)
Samson Price Jnr, 18, was found dead in a lake in Wigan. (Reach)

The court heard how Price, of Wigan, lost his son Samson Jnr after he drowned at Wigan Flash on 4 October 2020.

An investigation into the 18-year-old's death was undertaken by Greater Manchester Police and two teenage boys were arrested.

However, no charges were ever brought against the pair, and a coroner has since ruled an open verdict.

Price was unhappy with the outcome of the investigation and decided to "take the law into his own hands" in a carefully planned attack, the court heard.

After following him for several weeks, Price decided to confront the victim on 23 September 2021 outside Leicester Street gym on the outskirts of Northwich town centre shortly before 7pm.

Price, who was wearing a face mask, followed the victim as he left the gym and repeatedly attacked him from behind with a machete.

During the attack, the victim was stabbed between 15 and 20 times.

Price stopped his attack after the victim fell to the floor covered in blood, he then made off on foot before getting into a vehicle parked nearby.

Police and paramedics attended and the victim was rushed to Aintree Hospital where he received life-saving treatment.

Samson Price Jnr drowned at Wigan Flash on 4 October 2020. (Reach)
Samson Price Jnr drowned at Wigan Flash on 4 October 2020. (Reach)

After leaving the scene, Price went into hiding for ten days but he was located and charged in connection with the incident.

Following his arrest, Price admitted carrying out the attack but claimed he had not intended to murder the victim and "just wanted to harm him".

He was found guilty of attempted murder and admitted possession of a knife in a public place.

Price was remanded in custody and will be sentenced on 23 March.

Following the verdict, Detective Constable John Corrigan, formally of Northwich Beat Team, who led the investigation, said: “While I have sympathy for Price following the death of his son, there is no excuse for the actions he took on the night of the attack."