Pair face jail for footballer’s manslaughter
TWO MEN have been found guilty of the manslaughter of former FC Halifax Town footballer Jordan Sinnott in an attack sparked by the victim agreeing one of the men was “fat and ginger”.
Mr Sinnott, 25, died in hospital after being punched a number of times and knocked to the floor in a brutal assault in Retford in the early hours of Saturday January 25.
Kai Denovan, 22, of Collins Walk, Retford, pleaded not guilty to manslaughter, affray and common assault but was found guilty on all three counts this week following a trial at Nottingham Crown Court.
Cameron Matthews, 21, of Denman Close in Retford, pleaded guilty to manslaughter at a hearing on 6 July after CCTV showed him striking the Bradford-born Matlock Town player.
A third man, Sean Nicholson, 22, of Beechways, Retford, pleaded guilty to affray following Mr Sinnott’s death at a hearing on 2 March. He was released on bail and will be sentenced now the case is complete.
Mr Sinnott was out with two friends on the night of the tragic incident - when he first came across Cameron Matthews, Kai Denovan and Sean Nicholson inside a pub in Churchgate, Retford.
There was a disagreement before Denovan punched Mr Sinnott twice. The two groups then went their separate ways, with Mr Sinnott and his friends leaving the pub and heading towards Retford’s Market Place.
Denovan and Matthews also left the pub and walked towards the Market Place, with
Nicholson following behind. Once Matthews and Denovan caught up with Mr Sinnott, Denovan again punched Mr Sinnott before Matthews went on to punch him more than once, knocking him to the floor and causing fatal injuries.
Mr Sinnott died in hospital just before 6pm on Saturday 25 January, surrounded by his family.
Detective Chief Inspector Rob Routledge, of Nottinghamshire Police, who led the investigation, said: “Jordan was a talented and loved young man who had many promising years ahead of him.
“Matthews’ and Denovan’s actions in the early hours of 25 January cruelly took that future away from Jordan and changed his family’s lives forever. The response to Jordan’s death showed just how much he meant to those who knew him.
Jordan was a talented and loved young man who had many promising years ahead of him
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