Four found guilty of murdering Mark Gibson in Blackpool

Two men and two women have been found guilty of murdering Mark Gibson in Blackpool last year.

Mark, also known as Mark Lamb, was beaten and stabbed and left dying on Carshalton Road, Blackpool, in the early hours of July 11.

It followed an altercation between himself and the offenders at an address on nearby Boothroyden, which then continued onto Carshalton Road.

In court it was heard that when the fatal attack began Mr Gibson “posed no threat” to the group – yet they chased him down the street and attacked him with weapons including a knife, a spade and a tyre wrench.

Witnesses state that as the offenders walked away after the attack they were heard laughing and saying they would “let him bleed out”.

Following a three-week trial at Preston Crown Court, the following people were found guilty of Mark’s murder.

They are:

Stephen Pugh, 41, of Chapel Street, Blackpool; Tina Walton, 43, of Boothroyden, Blackpool; Stephanie Steele, 38, of Raikes Parade, Blackpool; and Shaun Neil, 43, of Boothroyden, Blackpool.

Aaron Chadwick, 34, of Warley Road, Blackpool, was found not guilty of Mark’s murder but guilty of his manslaughter.

They will be sentenced on Tuesday (February 28).

Det Ch Insp Jane Webb, of Lancashire Police’s Force Major Investigation Team, said: “First and foremost my thoughts are with Mark’s family and friends. They have behaved with dignity and respect throughout the court process.

“I would like to place on record my thanks to the community for the help they have provided us throughout this investigation. Their support has helped the jury reach the considered verdicts they have.”