Man has leg cut off in West Yorkshire after being attacked with machete and axe

The victim had to have surgery to reattach his leg that was severed below the knee

Max Lambert, 34, Liam Whitaker, 39 and Liam Hanbury, 41, have each been jailed for 30 years after attacking their victim on January 18 last year in Halifax, West Yorkshire.

The victim, who has not been named, had to have surgery to reattach his leg which had been severed below the knee.

The men were all sentenced at Leeds Crown Court on Wednesday after being found guilty of the attempted murder.

Lambert, of Bradford, West Yorkshire, was jailed for 30 years with an additional five years on extended licence after being founded guilty of attempted murder in a trial which concluded in September 2022.

Whitaker, of Bradford, West Yorkshire, and Hanbury of nearby Shipley, were both sentenced to 30 years each, with an additional five years on extended licence on their sentences.

Detective inspector Rob Stevens said that the men "inflicted dreadful injuries" on the victim in a "clear attempt to commit murder."

Stevens said the victim suffered "life-changing injuries and the savagery of their attack has been reflected in the very substantial sentences handed down by the courts".

He added: "These men were swiftly tracked down and arrested in a comprehensive police investigation following the attack and I hope the victim can take some comfort from seeing these men jailed for such lengthy periods."

Chief Superintendent Jim Griffiths said: "The very significant sentences given to these men make plain that those who think it is acceptable to carry weapons and also use them, can expect to spend many years behind bars.

"I can also promise criminals that, as this case demonstrates, West Yorkshire Police will use every resource it has to hunt down and bring to justice those involved in serious violent offending.

"We continue to appeal to residents across Kirklees to contact authorities if they have any information about knife crime or serious organised crime."

Griffiths added that reports can always be made anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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