Thug behind fatal kick was on bail for paramedic assault

IT was not the sentence loved ones of Robert Molloy-Jones had hoped for.

When Judge David McFarland passed down the tariff of five years — half to be served on licence — to Jordan Snoddy, the reaction from one of Mr Molloy-Jones’ relatives in the public gallery was immediate.

The victim’s sister looked at the dock where the 23-year-old defendant — dressed in a suit — stood, and shouted at him: “Scumbag, scumbag”.

She then left the court room visibly upset as Snoddy (below) turned his head in the direction of his own loved ones sitting at the back of the public gallery.

He turned back to face the judge as the sentencing proceedings continued, during which the various aggravating and mitigating factors that informed the judge’s tariff were outlined.

Snoddy, who was cleared of Mr Molloy-Jones’ murder but found guilty of unlawful killing, had always maintained that he acted in self defence after the victim punched him in an attempt to steal a bag of Diazepam tablets.

Another of Mr Molloy-Jones’ female relatives appeared emotional as Judge McFarland said he accepted Snoddy’s assertion that he had not intended to kill Mr Molloy-Jones or cause him “considerable harm”.

The judge also told Snoddy that his initial actions made in self defence had been “lawful”, when he defended himself initially by throwing three punches at his victim.

“But the situation then deteriorated,” continued Judge McFarland.

The judge also said he accepted Snoddy had “shown genuine remorse” throughout the case.

He also said it was clear that the death of Mr Molloy-Jones had had a “significant” impact on his loved ones, including his mother and brother.

The victim’s loss had also been felt by his former partner, with whom the victim had a daughter, who lost her father at the age of just five, the hearing was told.

Judge McFarland stressed that in issuing the tariff he had to take into consideration the fact that Snoddy had a criminal record, and had been on bail at the time of the incident for assaulting an ambulance worker.

Afterwards, Mr Molloy-Jones’ relatives declined to speak to the media.