Fri, 25 Jan 2013
Thomas Powell, 49, Northfield, has been convicted of manslaughter following a fight with gym owner David Hickman, 38, which caused Mr Hickman’s death. Powell has been jailed for 6 and a half years.
Mr Hickman had barred Powell from his Gym in Northfield. After discovering he was no longer welcome at the gym, Powell walked to the premises and a fight broke out on a second story walkway. Mr. Hickman suffered a broken neck after the two men fell during the struggle; he was paralysed and died 12 days later in hospital. Powell was arrested at Queen Elizabeth hospital after going there for injuries including three broken ribs.
Judge Paul Farrrer QC said ”You went there intending on confrontation. You were in a rage… Violence erupted immediately. It matters not which one of you struck the first blow”
Mundeep Sahota, 22, Northfield, has been found guilty of affray after kicking the victim in the genitals as he lay injured and has been jailed for 15 months.
David Howker QC, representing Powell, said that the incident was short-lived and that the violence was minimal.
Ekwal Tiwana, representing Sahota, said he did not realise how badly Mr Hickman was injured.
