'˜Madness' - neighbours talk of moment hammer-wielding man drove car into party-goers

Neighbours have described the moment a hammer-wielding man drove a car into revellers on a Castleford street after violence broke out at an England World Cup party.
The damage to the wall at the scene.The damage to the wall at the scene.
The damage to the wall at the scene.

The drama unfolded on Saturday night at around 9.50pm after a heated argument started at a house on Elizabeth Street when the man was refused entry.

The suspect, who is yet to be apprehended, is then alleged to have threatened revellers with a hammer before getting behind the wheel of a black 08-reg Honda Civic.

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He mounted the kerb before hitting a wall and hit two males, aged 37 and 54, while a 39-year-old woman was assaulted by the driver as she attempted to stop him leaving.

Damage to the wall.Damage to the wall.
Damage to the wall.

The Civic left and then returned, striking a third man, 30, who received facial injuries. It then left the scene again.

Janet Cockerham, who lives next door to where the party was, and had her front-garden wall demolished by the car, had watched the drama unfold from an upstairs window.

She said: “It was madness, something you would not believe even if you saw it.

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“It was like something of a police programme, not something that would happen in your own street.

“We’d heard people shouting and looked out of the window, there was a lot of arguing going on.

“We watched the whole thing, there were women and children there. People were even throwing bricks at the car to stop him.

“They’d been having a party after the England match and everybody was cheering and having a good time.”

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Another neighbour, who did not want to be named, added: “They were trying to get him to go and there were kids everywhere - he was nearly running them over.

“I’ve never seen anything like that, it was really frightening.”

Police were still hunting the suspect as the Express went to print.

Det Insp Dave Watts of Wakefield CID, said: “It is extremely fortunate that no-one was seriously injured in what have must been a very frightening experience for everyone present.

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“I would like to speak with anyone who witnessed or has information about took place, who has not yet come forward.

“We would also like to speak with anyone who has information about the car involved, a black 08 plate Honda Civic.

“Anyone who has information is asked to contact Wakefield CID on 101 referencing crime number 13180333185.”

Information can also be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”