Published by Robert L Senior Reporter on Thursday 10th April 2025 at 18:50hrs
Three men have been sentenced to a total of more than 18 years in prison for their involvement in two shocking and unprovoked attacks on refuse collectors in Stoke-on-Trent.
The sentencing took place at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court this afternoon (Thursday, April 10, 2025).
Joe Cordon, 29, of Burslem, received a sentence of six years and eight months imprisonment after pleading guilty to a string of offences including Section 18 wounding with intent, two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, two counts of criminal damage, driving without a license, and driving without third-party insurance.
Jack Spackman, 25, of Bentilee, was jailed for five years and six months. He admitted to two counts of conspiring to cause grievous bodily harm with intent, possessing an offensive weapon in a public place, and criminal damage.
Kyle Worthington, 21, of Abbey Hulton, was sentenced to six years in prison after pleading guilty to conspiring to cause grievous bodily harm with intent and possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.
The court heard that the first incident occurred at approximately 11:15 am on March 21, 2023, on Fairhaven Grove in Birches Head. A Stoke-on-Trent City Council bin lorry was forced to stop abruptly when a Vauxhall Corsa, driven by Cordon, turned into the road at speed.
Cordon then approached the lorry and punched the driver three times through the window before retrieving a lollypop stick from his car boot and hitting the vehicle with it. The injured driver was later hospitalised with head, facial, and foot injuries.
Just 30 minutes later, at 11:45 am, the same Vauxhall Corsa targeted a second bin lorry on Birches Head Road. This time, four males exited the vehicle. Cordon was armed with an axe, Spackman with a large sledgehammer, and Worthington with a firearm.
Cordon used the axe to smash the driver’s window and then proceeded to strike all three refuse workers inside the lorry.
Spackman used the sledgehammer to smash the lorry’s windows, and both Cordon and Spackman caused further damage to the vehicle.
Worthington then discharged the firearm at the bin lorry before all four men fled the scene in the Corsa, driven by Cordon.
The three refuse collectors sustained various injuries, including head, facial, and leg injuries, with one requiring hospital treatment.
Following the incidents, the Vauxhall Corsa was located by police officers in Kidsgrove, where a sledgehammer was found inside. Cordon was apprehended in Suffolk on the afternoon of March 24, 2023.
A teenage boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was also involved in the attacks. He pleaded guilty to conspiracy to cause grievous bodily harm, possession of an offensive weapon in a public place, and criminal damage.
He received a three-year youth rehabilitation order, which includes 240 hours of unpaid work, a curfew, and electronic monitoring.
Detective Inspector Andy Bryan condemned the attacks, stating:
“These were two unprovoked attacks on refuse collectors who were simply doing their jobs. Both incidents happened in the daytime while local residents were present in the streets. It is more luck than judgement that the injuries sustained by the refuse collectors were not more serious.” He added, “I am pleased all four defendants admitted their involvement in the attack.”
Stoke-on-Trent City Council leader Jane Ashworth expressed her relief at the sentencing, saying:
“These were shocking and completely unprovoked attacks on hard-working crews. We are thankful justice has been served.
We hope today’s sentencing will bring some comfort to the victims and their families and send a clear message: we will not tolerate violence or abuse against our staff in any circumstances.”
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