A 28-year-old man who fatally struck a father-of-three outside a pub has been sentenced to five years and two months in prison.
Brutal CCTV captures the moment Charles Neeson, 49, was fatally punched to the ground by Joe Baldwin at at 10:27 p.m. on August 27 of last year after the two got into an argument outside Natterjacks on Braunstone Gate in Leicester.
A “scuffle” erupted between the two after Mr. Neeson was ejected from the pub following a “altercation,” according to testimony presented at Leicester Crown Court. He was urged to leave the venue and the surrounding area by bouncers, but he came back and got into a fight with a man who was waiting outside.
Baldwin leaped a fence to get involved in this latest argument. Mr. Neeson dismissed him, and Baldwin responded by punching him twice quickly.
In disturbing video, Mr. Neeson can be seen falling straight backwards, slamming his skull on the ground, and receiving fatal injuries.
Mr. Neeson, who passed just two days after the incident, had three skull fractures and a brain hemorrhage after hitting the curb or a wooden plant pot with his head.
Baldwin, of no known address, was first detained on suspicion of causing serious bodily injury but was later charged with manslaughter after Mr. Neeson passed away.
At least one of Baldwin’s blows was “fearsome enough,” according to Judge Timothy Spencer QC, to knock Mr. Neeson out and cause the fall.
Shortly after attacking Mr. Neeson, the 28-year-old ran away to a nearby hotel, where he consumed beer and drugs before turning himself in.
He admitted guilt last week, and Leicester Crown Court today sentenced him to five years and two months in prison.
Detective Inspector Mark Parish, from East Midlands Special Operations Unit Murder Investigation Team, said afterwards: ‘There are absolutely no winners in this situation. What was initially believed to be a scuffle ended in such a devastating loss.
‘In my experience as a senior officer I wouldn’t say this was a prolonged violent assault – CCTV captured the incident and supporting evidence confirmed that Mr Neeson was punched twice.
‘This resulted in him falling to the ground and hitting his head on the pavement – that impact then led to Mr Neeson suffering fatal injuries.
‘What this case demonstrates is how the punches led to Mr Neeson suffering such catastrophic injuries.
‘Baldwin now faces a significant term in prison and Mr Neeson’s family will have to live with his loss for the rest of their lives.’
Mr Neeson’s children said in a heartbreaking statement afterwards: ‘At a young age me and my siblings are having to face a life without our dad.
‘Not because we are coming to terms with an illness or being able to prepare ourselves for it but because of the actions of one man that has single-handedly disrupted our lives forever.
‘Not only are we having to come to terms with the huge hole that has been left in our lives but we now have the responsibility that comes with that too.
‘We are all grieving, looking at family pictures and reminiscing but at the same time having to sort out legal paperwork, taking phone calls, filling out paperwork, sorting through possessions and dealing with finances.
‘At our ages no one should be planning their parent’s funeral. With every tear there is another responsibility to deal with a death, not of normal circumstances.
‘Our grief is having to be put on hold to endure the process that comes along with an investigation.
‘The grief doesn’t go away no matter how much you try. It’s hard to say goodbye to anyone you love who is going away for a period of time whether it be a holiday or work but then they come back. With a death they are never coming back.
‘The actions of one man has changed the rest of our lives. We will never be able to make my dad a grandad, if any of us get married he will not be there at our wedding or to see us move into our first house.
‘All moments that parents are supposed to be there for, to cherish and reminisce into old age. Our dreams and his memories are overshadowed by the image of him lying in the hospital bed.
‘Our dad was loved and cherished by many and he will be forever in our hearts.’