Peterborough: Group jailed for 2022 Eastgate attack

A group forced their way into the Peterborough address and viciously attacked a man in his 30s.

Ben Williams, 32, used a claw hammer to repeatedly hit the victim.

Cambridgeshire Police arrived at the Peterborough scene and saw Tamara Matthews, 23, and another man attacking the victim.

The force entered the Eastgate house and were met by Matthews and another woman, Isla Fitzgerald, 23, saying that the victim had been "beaten to death" and that they were trying to help him. 

The women were arrested at the scene and further investigation found Williams and Davis at Norwich Train Station having gotten a train there from Peterborough.

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Following a 14-day trial at Cambridge Crown Court, a jury returned a guilty verdict of attempted murder for Williams, of no fixed address.

The jury found Matthews, of Shrewsbury Avenue, Woodston, not guilty of attempted murder, but guilty of assault causing grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent.

Davis, of Shrewsbury Avenue, Woodston, denied attempted murder but admitted GBH with intent, which was accepted in court.

Fitzgerald, of Shrewsbury Avenue, Woodston, was initially charged with both attempted murder and GBH with intent, however these were later dropped at court and no further action will be taken against her.

Today (Friday, 2 February), they appeared at Cambridge Crown Court where Williams was jailed for 31 years, while Matthews was handed nine years and Davis also received nine years.

Detective Constable Lauren Easton, who investigated, said: "This was an extremely vicious attack believed to have been over an incident involving family members of Matthews’, which left the victim with a brain haemorrhage, bruising and swelling to his face and arms, as well as lacerations to his scalp.

"While not fully recovered, he is lucky to be alive and that he managed to call 999 and alert us to the intruders in his house.”