A brainy schoolboy tried to kill another teenager in a frenzied hammer attack after he became obsessed with Moors Murderer Ian Brady.
Budding scientist Liam McAtear, 16 wrote a chilling letter to mass child killer Brady expressing his ‘fascination’ with him before detailing his own plans to commit a murder in other notes written to friends.
Later he sneaked into his 17-year victim’s bedroom at 1am as he lay asleep before repeatedly hitting him up to 12 times over the head with the metal claw hammer.
Miraculously the older boy survived the attack after he woke up during the vicious assault to put up his arm and protect himself.
CAGED: Liam McAtear
Police called to the house of horror in Clayton-Le-Moors, Lancashire, found the incriminating letters including the note to Brady during a search of McAtear’s bedroom.
In one letter the youngster – who was about to start his A Levels – wrote: “I am planning a murder and it is very interesting and makes me feel good.
“The person I am going to kill is a low life, a good for nothing, so what do people care what becomes of him? I certainly do not and I will go to any lengths to end his life.”
In a second note McAtear said he would wait until the victim – whom he knew – had gone to bed before striking. The victim, who cannot be named, was treated for a depressed fracture to his skull and was found to have 12 injuries to his head.
At the Royal Blackburn Hospital he underwent explorative and corrective surgery but miraculous made a full physical recovery.
Details of the attack emerged at Preston Crown Court where McAtear was allowed to be named as he was locked away for life after he admitted attempted murder.
He must serve a minimum six years and nine months before he can be considered for release.
Earlier, the court heard how McAtear had written his letter to Ian Brady in August last year but did not send it to the maximum security Ashworth Hospital in Merseyside where the killer is being detained.
The hammer attack occurred the following September after McAtear was accused of touching a female friend inappropriately.
McAtear became worried about how people would view him – and decided to take out his fears on the victim with whom he had previously argued.
During the early hours of September 16 last year, McAtear went to the victim’s bedroom and began hitting him over the head with the weapon.
The blows continued and the victim put his arm up to protect himself, shouted out ‘right that is enough’ and began crying before suffering one further blow. Although the youngster made a full physical recovery he still suffered from numbness around his skull.
In a statement he said: “I was a lot more active prior to the attack, a lot more sociable. This has changed since. I have changed from a bubbly, outgoing person and I lack the get-up-and-go I had.”
In mitigation, the court heard McAtear’s mother was a drug addict and he had been in care since 2004. He had spent time with foster carers and been put up for adoption but his mother had tried to get in contact with him again.
Defence counsel Mark Stuart said McAtear was ‘very intelligent’ and had passed eight GCSEs at a school in Accrington. He had planned to take four science A-levels with the hope of studying medicine.
Mr Stuart said: “This was undoubtedly a wicked attack. To say anything otherwise would be to belittle what happened. A culmination of features probably led to the defendant behaving in the way that he did.”
But passing sentence Judge Anthony Russell QC said: “It was a wicked crime of extreme brutality. This was premeditated, ruthlessly carried out, there was serious harm to the victim and you have shown absolutely no remorse.
”There is no doubt that you have had a troubled background and this contributed to severe personality problems. You are a high risk of developing mental illness.
“What is of particular concern is that you express no remorse for what you have done. “You are very much more articulate than many who appear in these courts. In the circumstance of this case, that makes you more dangerous.
“A chilling feature of your case is you composed a letter to Ian Brady expressing your fascination in him.”
Speaking after the hearing, Detective Inspector Mark Vaughton said: “The sentence reflects the severity of the ordeal that the victim had to endure.
“This attack was vicious, unprovoked and sustained, leaving the victim seriously injured.
“Whilst he has made a good recovery from his physical injuries he still suffers from mental scars. I hope that yesterday’s sentence can bring the victim some closure so that he can move on with his life.”
Detective Constable Mick Ingram described the case as ‘one of the most shocking’ he had ever seen.
He said: “We deal with violent offenders on a regular basis but something like this – given the people involved, their young ages and the nature of the case – simply beggars belief.”
Brady image courtesy of Creative Commons, with thanks.
