Philip Darby attacked his victim with a meat cleaver following a long running feud which had been rumbling for more than seven years
Philip Darby, of Beech Rise in Kirkby, aged 62(Image: Merseyside Police)
A thug left his neighbour with his “nose and chin hanging off” after attacking him with a meat cleaver. Philip Darby committed the vicious assault following a long running feud between the two men which had been rumbling for more than seven years.
The victim was left in a coma for weeks as a result of the incident and remained in hospital for more than four months. In spite of leaving his enemy with gruesome injuries which will leave him scarred for life, his assailant later told police: “At the end of the day, I will do the time because he deserved it.”
Liverpool Crown Court heard this afternoon, Friday, that Matthew Hilton presented to a security guard at the front entrance of a block of flats on Beech Rise in Kirkby “severely injured” and bleeding heavily on May 8 this year, with his “nose and chin hanging off” and a “slice to his neck”. He then told the member of staff: “Hurry up, please help me. I’m going to die.”
Graham Pickavance, prosecuting, described how Mr Hinton subsequently informed paramedics who attended the scene that his neighbour had stabbed him with a knife. Darby, of Beech Rise, meanwhile called 999 himself and confessed that he “did him” after apparently receiving threats from the victim.
Officers attended his apartment, with the 62-year-old having stated “I’m not doing anything” upon answering his front door. After being handcuffed and arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, he went on to add that he had “had enough of Matthew Hilton threatening and attacking him”.
Darby meanwhile pointed the PCs towards the draining board of his kitchen when asked where he had left the weapon, with a meat cleaver being seized from this area. He then stated: “I’m really sorry about this. At the end of the day, I will do the time because he deserved it. He has done many things to me. I’m not the kind of person that likes breaking the law.”
Having been taken to St Anne Street Police Station, Darby commented “I know I went over the top, but he’s just a bully” while waiting in a holding area. At the custody desk, he then added: “I disagree with it being attempted murder. I wouldn’t have called an ambulance if I had wanted him to die.”
After being rushed to Aintree Hospital, Mr Hilton, who is also aged in his 60s, required urgent blood transfusions as a result of a series of lacerations to his neck, having been bleeding profusely from a cut to the anterior jugular vein. He was later placed into intensive care, being kept sedated and medically ventilated for period.
Mr Hilton was only discharged from hospital four months and 25 days later on October 3 2025. He now requires a pureed diet due to being unable to swallow solid food as a result of his neck injuries, while he now suffers from memory issues relating to his blood loss.
Darby has two previous convictions, receiving a community order for battery in 2008 before being handed a suspended prison sentence for possession of a bladed article in a public place in 2018. This apparently came as “part of the same ongoing dispute between the same men”, with the defendant having been caught carrying a knife and stated to police that he “might use it against” Mr Hilton.
This feud also saw Darby place a series of emergency calls prior to his attack, including one in which he told the operator that it “was only a matter of time before he had to defend himself” and “had only not done it so far because he didn’t want to do time for him”. On another occasion, he added: “You’re actually leaving me in a position where I’m gonna have to hit this b****rd with a weapon, and it’s your fault.”
Anthony O’Donohoe, defending, told the court today: “I do not shy away from the gravity of this case, of course. I would make the submission this terrible event did not happen in a vacuum.
“There is some history between these two men. The defendant has made numerous complaints to the police, some of which were investigated, some of which, I fear, were simply ignored. At some point, at least, the defendant was regarded as a nuisance caller. But there is, indeed, a long history, as his last conviction indicates.
“The defendant himself is a man living alone with no close ties, no close friends and no close family relationships. One of the things that he has said on more than one occasion is that he hopes not to die in prison.
“The defendant has physical and mental health issues which, again, in my respectful submission, should go to mitigate this terrible event to some extent. The best that I can do on behalf of Mr Darby is to invite the court to make the sentence as short as is consistent with your honour’s public duty.”
Darby was previously charged with attempted murder in relation to the incident but admitted the lesser charge of wounding with intent on the day he was due to stand trial. Appearing via video link to HMP Altcourse, he was jailed for nine years and handed an extended licence period of five years.
Judge Stuart Driver KC labelled the injuries sustained by Mr Hilton as “shocking”, adding in his sentencing remarks: “You used that [weapon] to cause grave injuries to Matthew Hilton. The horrific appearance of those injuries can be seen on photographs.
“The consequences included six weeks in a medically induced coma, the fitting of a tracheostomy, long term memory loss, the requirement of care and permanent facial scarring. A member of his family says that all of their lives have been changed by this.”
Judge Driver said that Derby would be sentenced on the “basis of excessive self defence at the outset of the incident” following a “period of provocation”. But he added: “Your behaviour became an attack before the serious injuries were caused.
“The case is aggravated by your record, not the old assault conviction but the conviction for possession of a bladed article in 2018. You had that as part of your ongoing feud with Mr Hilton. In mitigation, you have a good work record and you have difficulties with your physical and mental health.
“I am satisfied that you are a dangerous offender. I am driven to that conclusion by the severity of the violence used in this case, by the relevant previous convictions and the lack of any real remorse.
“I agree with the probation officer’s finding that you represent a high risk of serious harm to the public. An extended sentence is necessary to protect the public.”