Stoke-on-Trent, England — In a startling daytime attack, a group of men armed with an axe, sledgehammer, and gun launched a violent assault on garbage collectors, wounding three, authorities said. The incident, which occurred at around 11:15 a.m. on March 21, escalated from a road rage situation involving a near-miss traffic encounter earlier that day.
Joe Corden, 29, instigated the affray when he attacked the refuse truck with a school crossing lollipop sign, initially striking the vehicle before assaulting the crew members. The altercation rapidly intensified as Corden was joined by accomplices Jack Spackman, 25, and Kyle Worthington, 21, who wielded more deadly weapons.
Video footage captured by a dashcam installed on the bin lorry shows the terrifying moment the assailants broke the vehicle’s windows and attacked the workers inside. The recording ended abruptly with the sound of a gunshot, leaving the aftermath off-screen. According to the authorities, this violent reaction was triggered mistakenly by Corden who, following a near collision earlier by a different bin lorry, mistakenly targeted another crew.
During the attack, one of the binmen sought shelter inside the vehicle, while his colleague was visibly beaten by the gang. The violence resulted in significant injuries for the crew, with one worker requiring hospital treatment for injuries to his face, head, and leg.
The assailants were subsequently arrested and brought before Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court. There, Corden pleaded guilty to two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, one count of conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm with intent, alongside charges related to weapon possession, property damage, and traffic violations linked to driving without a license and insurance.
Spackman admitted his role in the conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm with intent, possession of an offensive weapon in public, and criminal damage, while Worthington confirmed his involvement with charges of conspiring to cause grievous bodily harm with intent and possessing a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.
Legal proceedings are ongoing as the court has not yet accepted Corden’s basis of plea, indicating the possibility of further examination into the events that unfolded. Both Spackman and Worthington are scheduled for sentencing on February 7, and all three men remain in custody pending further court actions.
This case highlights the severe ramifications of road rage and mistaken identity, emphasizing the unpredictable escalation of violence in everyday situations. Community safety and the risks faced by public service workers have come to the forefront, raising questions about the adequacy of current preventive measures and the need for increased support and protection for those in service-oriented roles.