Thug admits killing man with punch
A MAN has admitted killing a father who was enjoying a night out with his son by delivering a ‘‘forceful’’ punch during trouble in Birmingham city centre.
Matthew Carroll, 50, suffered head injuries in an altercation on The Water’s Edge, Brindleyplace, at around 1.30am on August 29.
Mr Carroll, from Solihull, West Midlands, was taken to hospital but died a few hours later.
Matthew Mahony, 33, of Stone Road, Edgbaston, pleaded guilty to manslaughter at Birmingham Crown Court.
But prosecutor Michael Duck said the defendant’s basis of plea was not accepted.
The case was adjourned for a trial of issue hearing which will take place on January 28.
CCTV footage captured the events which unfolded near the Slug & Lettuce bar.
Christopher Millington, mitigating,
conceded Mahony had delivered a ‘‘forceful’’ blow to Mr Carroll, who was on a night out with his son.
Mr Carroll was taken to hospital with a fractured skull and facial injuries but died later the same day. He added that Mahony ‘‘selfreported’’ the incident before he was contacted by the police.
Judge Paul Farrer QC, presiding over the case, said the remaining issues could make a significant difference to the sentence.
Addressing Mahony, Judge Farrer said: “I take the view that in order to do justice both to you and to the victim in this case, I need to resolve two issues.
“Firstly, whether you were in any sense motivated by a belief you needed to protect your friends.
“Secondly, whether your punch caused the fractures to the right side of Mr Carroll’s face.
“I will resolve those issues on Friday, January 28. It will take a day.
“I will sentence you on that day subject to the possibility of it moving if events overtake it.
“In the meantime you are remanded in custody.”