2004: BROTHER JAILED FOR KILLING IN GOLBORNE
2004: A man who inflicted a fatal stab to his brother’s neck with a knife has been sentenced to six years in prison.Authorities found Andrew Ashcroft dead in the flat he shared with his younger sibling, Timothy Ashcroft, on High Street, Golborne, at approximately 3:30am on Wednesday, February 11.
The 44-year-old victim, who was intoxicated, had been cut in the neck with a diver’s knife and gradually lost blood over the subsequent hours.
By the time Timothy, aged 38, alerted emergency services, it was already too late.
The court heard that the violence originated from a long-standing dispute over £2,500 stolen by Andrew from Timothy, who was then managing a paint shop business.
At that time, Timothy was serving a three-month sentence for illegal possession of ammunition.
After his release, he discovered the money was missing, sparking escalating tensions over the following year.
Andrew eventually admitted to stealing the money.
The brothers had cohabited for two years; Andrew, once an Army chef, turned to alcohol following a bomb incident in Northern Ireland.
On February 10, Andrew, who was awaiting rehabilitation, became intoxicated and the old dispute about the money resurfaced.
Timothy later stated he could not recall the events but found his brother covered in blood with the knife nearby.
Initially suspecting suicide, Timothy hid the knife in a ceiling space and went to call an ambulance.
However, paramedics were unable to save Andrew.
Prosecutor Jeremy Baker QC explained that Andrew’s death was caused by blood loss, possibly taking hours for the wound to be fatal.
Timothy pleaded guilty to manslaughter, with the murder charge dropped.
Their father, Brian Ashcroft, a retired businessman, told the court that Andrew’s difficulties in Northern Ireland contributed to his drinking problem.
He also mentioned that Timothy had assisted and paid off loans for his brother.
When asked if his parents felt resentment towards Timothy, Mr.
Ashcroft stated, ‘No, we don’t.’ Defense lawyer Howard Bentham QC highlighted Timothy’s interest in knives and the fact that both brothers were qualified divers, which explained the knife’s presence in the flat.
He argued the injury likely resulted from a threatening jab without intent to kill.
Justice Hughes sentenced Timothy to six years, noting: ‘It appears you must have, at the very least, put the knife against his throat or jabbed at it.
As a result of that dangerous assault, the knife penetrated his neck.
It was not deep, but it caused the bleeding that led to his death.’ The judge also criticized the delay in seeking help, condemning the lack of action until it was too late.
