Man who killed friend’s father with push jailed
VICTIM SUFFERED HEART ATTACK DURING ROW WITH SON’S BEST FRIEND
A 24-YEAR-OLD man who killed the father of his best friend when he pushed him in a city street has been jailed.
Jentilal Deugi died after an altercation with his son’s then friend, Yashvant Pranlal, on May 31.
Pranlal pushed 50-year-old Mr Deugi to the ground, causing him to suffer a heart attack which led to a fatal brain injury. He died on June 2 at Leicester Royal Infirmary.
Mr Deugi was tended to at the scene, in Redcar Road, Belgrave, Leicester, by a passing midwife and her husband, a retired nurse, plus another member of the public.
While sentencing Pranlal at Leicester Crown Court, Judge Timothy Spencer QC commended the three helpers for their “care and concern” and awarded them £300 from public funds.
Nadia Silver, prosecuting, told the court Mr Deugi was unhappy about his son, Sanjay Jentilal, staying for a week at Pranlal’s home in Green Lane Road, Spinney Hills, in the city.
At 7am on the day of the incident, Mr Deugi called at the defendant’s home.
Pranlal’s mother said Mr Deugi was shouting and threatening to call the police because the family were keeping his son.
Mr Deugi left, but that afternoon, Pranlal, in the company of Sanjay, phoned Mr Deugi, before arriving in Redcar Road, near Mr Deugi’s flat, at 3.30pm. Pranlal’s brother and four other men were also present.
Mr Deugi approached the group, appearing intoxicated and staggering slightly.
A blood test later revealed he had consumed more than double the equivalent of the drink-drive limit.
Miss Silver said: “Mr Deugi was arguing with his son and hit out at him.
“Pranlal’s first contact was to hold Mr Deugi’s arms to prevent him from hitting out further.
“It escalated. Others in the group were trying to keep Mr Deugi and Pranlal apart.”
Pranlal removed his belt and swung it at Mr Deugi. Mr Deugi did the same with his belt, but it was unclear if any blows connected.
Miss Silver said: “The defendant managed to evade his companions. He pushed Mr Deugi with some force to his face and chest, causing him to fall backwards on to the pavement.
“From the moment he was struck and went to the floor, he was unconscious and unresponsive.
“A short time later, a midwife, Jenny Vagharia, and her partner, Nikhil Varia, stopped and asked if they needed help.”
Pranlal told the midwife it was “a family matter” and not to get involved, but one of the group agreed she should call for an ambulance.
The midwife found no sign of life and performed CPR with her partner, assisted by Jaya Natali, on Mr Deugi until an ambulance arrived.
Miss Silver said: “Pranlal was abusive and aggressively telling the midwife to leave.”
The defendant gave two “no comment” interviews to police.
However, he pleaded guilty to manslaughter at an earlier hearing.
Sentencing, Judge Timothy Spencer QC said: “Jentilal had come to this country seeking a better life for himself and his family. His son was your best friend. It’s clear Mr Deugi was a good man. He was the mainstay of the family and a good father.”
The judge said the reason for the father and son falling out was “obscure” but said: “It may simply be that he was distressed by the distance between them.”
Of the confrontation, the judge said: “It’s clear Mr Deugi was drunk and it must have contributed to what followed.
“I take the view you and others didn’t appreciate the full seriousness of the situation. I completely accept your genuine remorse.
“At the time you pushed Mr Deugi, he wasn’t a threat to anyone and your actions weren’t in defence of yourself of another.”
Pranlal’s barrister, Waheed Baber, said: “He expresses his sincere remorse for what happened.
“At no point did he ever think Mr Deugi would lose his life.
“He’s lost his best friend, and his best friend has lost his dad.
“He was trying to assist his friend in what was a domestic argument and he shouldn’t have got involved.”
Pranlal was jailed for four-and-ahalf years.
Senior investigating officer, Detective Inspector Jonathan Blockley, from East Midlands Special Operations Unit Major Crime Team, said: “There are no winners in this case.
“One family has lost their loved one and another now faces a considerable amount of time without their family member.
“My sympathies go to Mr Deugi’s family, they have shown immense dignity throughout.”