Wigan trio accused of vicious assault

Gareth Croston, 40, of Patricroft Road, Ince, 37-year-old Ryan Halliwell, of Millers Lane, Platt Bridge, and 43-year-old Andrew Maloney, of Quarry Place, Scholes, appeared in the dock at Wigan and Leigh Magistrates’ Court charged with maliciously wounding Scott Dempsey on Sunday April 11 with intent to cause him grievous bodily harm.

That is the most serious form of assault in law after the charge of attempted murder.

All three were remanded in custody and, because of the seriousness of the accusations against them, the bench immediately ordered that the case be sent to Bolton Crown Court where the suspects are expected to appear before a judge for the first time on Monday May 17.

None of them has yet entered a plea.

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