“I’m going to kill you”
A man launched an unprovoked and ‘unexplained’ hammer attack on an old acquaintance after luring him out of his home.
David Cachia, 68, turned up at his victim’s house, which was down an isolated road in Rochdale, armed with a claw hammer and a knife wrapped in newspaper. He rang the Ring doorbell before hiding around the corner behind some bins in June last year.
As the man came out of his home and asked him if he was OK, Cachia approached. Cachia told him: “No I’m not, I’m going to kill you.”
He then launched an unprovoked attack on the 76-year-old, hitting him to the head with the hammer. Cachia hit him at least a further two times, including to the ribs, before he was knocked to the ground.
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During the fracas, the man’s wife was able to get the hammer from Cachia. The victim was able to bite Cachia as he punched him to the mouth whilst reiterating his ‘chilling’ threat, Manchester’s Minshull Street Crown Court heard.
“When the police arrived, the defendant took out a large knife wrapped in newspaper from his coat pocket and threw it to the floor,” said prosecutor Lisa Boocock.
The victim was rushed to hospital where he was treated for wounds to his head, a skull fracture and injuries to his ribs. He has since been diagnosed with PTSD, compounded by depression and anxiety.
Reading a victim impact statement to the court, his daughter said: “On June 28 last year I received a phone call from my mother to say my father had suffered an unprovoked attack.
“They had been at home and a male had attacked my dad with a hammer.
“I felt sick to my stomach and angry that he was attacked in a place he thought he was safe. I’m struggling to understand the reason for the attack.
“My dad has not really left the house and he is adamant he won’t be forced out of the house.
“He [Cachia] hid like a coward before launching an unprovoked attack.
“Everybody should be safe in their own home.”
Hi wife added that his personality had changed, that he was angry rather than ‘happy go-lucky’, and that she no longer feels safe in their home.
David Toal, defending, said: “He has fully admitted responsibility and regret for what he has done.
“He wishes it never came to it. He struggles with his anger.”
Jailing him, Judge Mark Savill said the offence was ‘chilling and inexplicable’. He said it was ‘deliberately planned and premeditated’.
“What you then did, at the time and going forward, was traumatise both his and his family’s lives,” he said.
“This was a prolonged and persistent assault. It’s not clear to me what inspired you, but I assume you had a grudge and this was a revenge attack.
“You are somebody who cannot help but resort to violence.”
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Sentencing him as a dangerous offender under Sentencing Guidelines, Judge Savill handed him six-and-a-half years in prison, of which he will serve two thirds of the term behind bars. He will then serve an extra five years on licence.
Cachia, of Harvey Street, Rochdale, was also made subject of a restraining order, banning him from contacting his victim. He had previously pleaded guilty to wounding with intent, possession of an offensive weapon and possession of a bladed article.