Robbers admit attempted murder of student left for dead

Daniel Whiteley, 19, from Barnsley, was frogmarched to a park in Manchester where he was forced to hand over his bank card and pin number.

He was kicked and stamped on and then thrown unconscious into a freezing cold culvert as his assailants left and withdrew cash from his account.

Michael Brownlie, 26, and Nicholas Lindsay, 22, pleaded guilty to attempted murder yesterday, on the day of their scheduled trial. Both men also admitted robbery.

Lindsay’s girlfriend, Katie Mongan, 18, pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent and admitted robbery.

The first-year English student at Manchester University had come across the defendants by chance as he ate in a takeaway in Fallowfield after a night out.

It is understood one of the defendants had been asking passers-by for cigarettes but Mr Whiteley said he had none to give. Mongan responded with abuse and was asked to leave by staff in the early hours of February 28.

Mr Whiteley later bumped into the trio as he walked home when Mongan accused him of being disrespectful.

The student was told to hand over his watch and then forcibly shoved into nearby Platt Fields park where he was robbed of his mobile phone and bank card before he was subjected to the assault which rendered him unconscious.

His body was then carried over a fence and thrown into the water by Lindsay and Mongan’s half-brother Brownlie, the court heard.

A passing cyclist heard a groan from the stream several hours after the attack and Mr Whiteley was pulled out of the water by paramedics.

He had suffered extensive bleeding to the brain – a subdural haematoma – and underwent life-saving emergency surgery. Other injuries inflicted were a collapsed lung, swellings so severe over both eyes that they could not be opened and a footprint bruise to his forehead.

Sentencing was adjourned until September 14.

The three defendants, who are all from the Longsight area of Manchester, were remanded in custody.