A judge told Mert Gercek this afternoon, Friday, June 28, “The very fact you were prepared to, and did, use a weapon makes you a dangerous offender.”
The 28-year-old had admitted his involvement in that attack and also a later offence of strangulation of a former partner.
Judge Neil Flewitt, KC, told him that his judgement that he is a dangerous offender was reinforced by that later offence and his criminal record. He imposed an extended four year licence.
Andrew McInnes, prosecuting, told Liverpool Crown Court that on March 4 last year the victim had gone into Liverpool with friends for a night out.
They returned to St Helens in the early hours of the morning and went to the Imperial nightclub.
“He was intoxicated, and he inadvertently knocked over the drink of another man,” Mr. McInnes claimed.
Things appeared to be getting better, but then he noticed a man motioning for him to go outside, and as soon as he went, Gercek attacked him from behind.
“He punched back after Gercek hit him in the stomach, but Gercek hit him again in the right side of the stomach. He fled the scene as soon as he noticed police officers were coming. There were several persons in the vicinity.
Mr. Mcinnes stated, “He collapsed as he ran and looked down and could see the injury to his stomach.”
“When they noticed the wound to his right abdomen, officers were about to handcuff him. They immediately gave him first aid and called for emergency medical assistance.”
After being brought to Aintree Hospital, the victim—a refrigeration engineer—had surgery and had a portion of his colon removed. The prosecutor claimed that he spent five days in intensive care.
Although the defendant was not apprehended at the scene of the incident, he was placed on the wanted list when a lock knife was discovered in the alley and its DNA was confirmed to match Gercek.
Attack on former partner
On February 17, this year, in the afternoon, Gercek was freed pending additional inquiries. Just as his ex-partner was ready to enter St Mary’s Market in St Helens, he grabbed her from behind and put his arm around her neck.
He pulled her backwards, but she was able to release herself, and they spoke before he departed.
The defendant was told by the court that he had 23 prior convictions for 42 offenses, including battery and possession of a weapon.
After entering a guilty plea to wounding with intent, possessing a bladed article, and strangulation, Gercek, of Knowsley Road, Eccleston, was sentenced to seven years in prison.
The defense attorney, Frank Dillon, stated that Gercek had admitted guilt to the offenses, indicating his regret and acknowledgement of his wrongdoing.
He was not the individual who “fronted” the victim and asked him outside; he had not been at the Imperial Club. According to him, “anticipatory self-defence” may have been a part of the offense.
According to Mr. Dillon, he briefly wrapped his hand around her neck in order to strangle her.
Gercek was sentenced to 12 months in prison, of which he must spend half, and an extra 6 years, of which he must serve at least two thirds, for his wounds.
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