From the Berrylands Gazette, Thursday 6^th of April 2006:

Horror in the High Street

Three university students attacked in broad daylight

Two students were injured in a crazed hammer attack yesterday afternoon, while horrified shoppers looked on.  A third victim was dragged into the river in an attempt to drown her.

The attack, which took place barely twenty yards from the busy High Street, left a 23-year-old man fighting for his life in intensive care after his skull was fractured by two vicious blows. Two other victims, both nineteen, were treated for…

*

From the Berrylands Gazette, Monday the 10^th of April 2006:

High Street Attackers Denied Bail

Men behind hammer attack charged with attempted murder

Two men who attacked a group of students were today told that they would remain in prison until their trial.  Bradley Simmons, 25, and Gregory Melham, 21, were charged with attempted murder after an attack that left one of their victims with a fractured skull.

Simmons and Melham did not deny the attack, but argued that they were in fear of their lives due to threats made by the victims.  A spokesman for the court responded…

*

From the Berrylands Gazette, Wednesday the 19^th of April 2006:

“Gas Them Like the Vermin They Are”- Horror of Murder Cult that Fixated on Four Teenagers

Source claims that attack was planned a long time in advance.

The three students attacked in the street last week had been the subject of a long-term obsession by the group connected to the attackers, a source claims.

Although the Oakmen, a “free-thinking group” to which attackers Bradley Simmons and Gregory Melham belonged, have attempted to distance themselves from Simmons and Melham’s actions, a source close to the group claims that there had been a months-long harassment campaign afainst the victims and their two flatmates, including an attempt to burn down their home.

The source, who has asked to remain anonymous, described meetings in which…

*

From the Berrylands Gazette, Friday the 21^st of April 2006:

“I Had No Idea,” Says Landlady

Murder cult secretly operated out of local woman’s house

Carla Everett, the owner of the house in which a cult allegedly plotted a harassment campaign that climaxed in a horrific hammer attack, insists that she had no idea of the group’s activities.

“My niece asked me if she and her friends could use the house for a few months while they got their self-help business off the ground,” Mrs Everett told the Gazette, “I trusted her.  I never thought they’d get involved in something like this.”

Two of the group’s members are awaiting trial for attempted murder.  Mrs Everett says that she has served her remaining tenants, eight adults and two children, with a notice of eviction.

The Oakmen, a group variously described as “free-thinkers” and “amateur life coaches,” had lived in the house for four months.  In this time, they organised a number of recruitment events, many of which were organised to attract Berrylands students.

The Oakmen themselves were shocked by the eviction notice.  “In a few days, we’ll be homeless,” said Maya Bell, “I can understand Carla wanting to distance herself from what Bradley and Greg did, but what about my children?”

Two weeks ago, Bradley Simmons and Gregory Melham carried out…