Couple jailed for killing man in sickening robbery
Victim collapsed and later died after being punched from behind
ACOUPLE who left a man to die in the street after a robbery have been jailed for his manslaughter.
Shannon Cronin, 24, and her partner Sean Sweeney, 27, attacked Mark Lloyd in Perry Barr, Birmingham, on September 21 last year.
Mr Lloyd, a 39-year-old father, died eight days later from his injuries at Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Sweeney, who punched Mr Lloyd once from behind, pleaded guilty to manslaughter, robbery and fraud, and was jailed for 10 years.
Cronin denied manslaughter but was found unanimously guilty by a jury after a week-long trial at Birmingham Crown Court.
She was jailed for five years having also been convicted of robbery and fraud after taking Mr Lloyd’s mobile phone and bank card.
Sweeney, of Oscott Road, Perry Barr, and Cronin, of Clyde Street, Cradley Heath, targeted Mr Lloyd on Aldridge Road at around 11.10pm after he had been refused entry to a pub for being too drunk.
The court heard Cronin was ‘formerly of good character’ while Sweeney had a conviction for possessing an offensive weapon, criminal damage, and assault on a female partner.
In passing sentence, Judge Mark Wall QC said: “You were waiting for victims. While you were there Mark Lloyd walked by. You stalked him for 10 minutes.
“I am sure you chose to attack him there because it was less likely you would be seen.
“You, Sweeney, had prepared yourself for the attack as you walked through the streets.
“Without warning, you ran up behind Mark Lloyd and hit him on the head. It was a blow designed to stun him.
“The CCTV makes clear how much force there was behind your punch.
“He fell to the ground and thereafter failed to regain consciousness Neither of you helped him.
“You Cronin turned his body from front to back. You left him in the street alone, unconscious and to die. “While he survived for a number of days his injuries were such he could not survive.”
The judge told Cronin: “You did not play the leading role. There are no aggravating features. You had some mental and physical health issues. “You were able to stand up to your co-accused when you wished to do so. You became involved in this robbery by choice.”
The judge told Sweeney: “This was a hard blow to an inebriated man in the street. You (Sweeney) had a previous conviction for violence.
“You were on bail and this was a premeditated offence. I accept you are now remorseful.”
The judge added: “You were both stopped on the street shortly afterwards. You, Cronin, walked away.
You tried to shift the blame on what had happened on Mr Lloyd himself.
“It is obvious that Mark’s family was extremely close and that the heart has been torn out of it because of your actions.”
Mr Lloyd, from Kingstanding, was described as “loving” and “devoted” man by relatives. Vicky Cooksey, his partner of 23 years, said: “He was an amazing partner and dad. Mark spent more of his life at work than with us until recently.
“There were plans for us to go on our first family holiday abroad. The house is so quiet without him. There are many important milestones in the kids’ lives he will miss. “Out of nowhere I am single parent. I often find myself talking to Mark’s ashes.
“Mark left the house to go out with his friends but never returned.
“Christmas 2019 was an empty chair at the dinner table. The year 2020 was supposed to be our year.
“Mark was just everything to us. They have robbed us of Mark. There is no excitement in our lives.”
Mark Fenhalls QC, mitigating for Sweeney, said: “He says the point at which the intention to rob was when they were sitting at the bus stop.
“He takes responsibility for what he did and is desperately sorry for the consequences of his actions. He had no idea about the magnitude of the consequences of what he had done.”
Michelle Heeley QC, for Cronin, said she had played a minor role, adding: “She is a woman of good character. You ought to take account of her chaotic lifestyle going from hostel to hostel. It was her choice to have a trial but not her choice for it to be delayed.
“She is supported by her family. They are living through this as well as Miss Cronin.”