Victim Gareth Gregory’s view on the Bebo sites:
“It’s unreal. If he’s got that sort of impression he’s obviously a bit deranged. If some idiot thinks he’s dead hard and dead funny to put that stuff up on the computer, he needs to be locked up for a long time. If it was one of my friends I’d stop them in their tracks.
“It’s society today. In retrospect, if he’s got that sort of attitude he’s got no chance in life.
“People like that don’t listen to the law, obviously. And coming out of prison on a tag – what deterrent is that? We pay 40% tax and we’re paying to keep these idiots. That’s what eats inside me.
“You’re on the internet bragging about it, thinking it’s funny. What are you going to be doing when you’re 40, or 45? There’ll be 18-year-old kids picking on you. You can’t do this for the rest of your days.”
Christopher Murphy’s case is different because he knew his attacker.
Mr Murphy, a chef at Heathercliffe Hotel, says his stepbrother and Guest’s brother were friends and Guest would come to the family’s house.
The attack took place near Top Taste takeaway on Main Street, Frodsham, and Mr Murphy was left to dab up his blood with napkins after his face “split open”. He needed seven stitches and is left with a scar on his lip.
He said about the Bebo sites: “I think it’s disturbing to be honest. These are his friends and they’re sticking up for him, but I think it’s sad and stupid because they’re going to end up on the same path. I know he [Guest] is quite proud of what he’s done.
“A lot of my friends are bitter but I don’t see the point in dragging it back up again. I’m quite angry toward them. I don’t know what can be done about it. Liam’s got serious problems – I don’t know why.”
