The confrontation lasted lower than 90 seconds, a courtroom was advised
A person has been jailed for 12 years for killing his aged neighbour in a row over shutting a gate. Trevor Gocan, 57, punched and kicked James “Jim” O’Neill, 74, exterior their housing property in Covent Backyard, central London, leaving him with a traumatic mind harm.
He died in hospital two weeks later. Southwark Crown Court docket heard on Thursday how the 2 exchanged phrases after Gocan left a gate open on the property.
CCTV confirmed the confrontation lasted lower than 90 seconds earlier than Mr O’Neill was on the bottom with critical accidents.
Decide Sally-Ann Hales KC advised Gocan: “Your illegal actions on October 6, 2024, triggered the loss of life of Jim O’Neill, a much-loved father and grandfather.
“You didn’t have to defend your self – the reality is, you misplaced your mood and management. You walked away. Mr O’Neill didn’t.
“He was a lot older than you. In his shorts and Crocs, he introduced no critical menace. Had you genuinely felt threatened, you possibly can have walked away.”
She stated the assault, which included a punch and two kicks, carried a “excessive threat” of inflicting grievous bodily hurt or loss of life. “You probably did completely nothing,” she stated. “Your regret, if real, has taken a very long time coming.”
The courtroom heard a 12-year-old boy witnessed the ultimate kick and watched as his mom and grandmother tried to assist the sufferer. Mr O’Neill’s widow, Sara, stated she had been left “fully devastated” and haunted by nightmares.
“Jim was not solely my husband for 49 years however my soulmate,” she stated in a sufferer influence assertion. “I really feel depressed, typically crying, haunted by darkish ideas. I battle to sleep and have recurring nightmares witnessing the love of my life bleeding on the ground.”
She stated she had been pressured to place their dwelling up on the market and had not left the flat for weeks after the assault. Their son, Amos O’Neill, stated he noticed his father “begin to lose consciousness” and advised the courtroom: “We by no means received justice within the courtroom.”
Gocan denied wrongdoing, however was convicted of manslaughter by a jury on Could 1. Prosecutor Lisa Wilding KC stated the violence went “properly past” a single punch and concerned the usage of a “shod foot” – in a shoe or boot – as a weapon.
Defence barrister Benjamin Aina KC stated the assault was “fully out of character” and added that Gocan had no earlier convictions. Nonetheless, he had acquired a warning in 2012 for pushing his spouse. The courtroom additionally heard how Gocan was a carer for his kids, certainly one of whom has autism.
In a letter learn aloud in courtroom, he stated: “I’m so very, very sorry. Phrases can’t describe the regret and remorse that I really feel.
“I take full duty for what occurred. I failed my kids, faith, myself, and above all Mr O’Neill.”
Decide Hales advised him: “I’m happy that Mr O’Neill’s loss of life was triggered in an illegal act falling simply in need of GBH.
“You advised the jury you dialled 999 – your telephone bore no hint of this name. The reality is you probably did completely nothing.”
Gocan, who wore gray prison-issue sweatpants, confirmed no emotion because the sentence was handed. He should serve two-thirds of the 12-year sentence in custody earlier than he could be thought-about for launch on licence.
