Man died after ‘getting in way of crime gang’
ABUSINESSMAN was killed because he ‘got in the way’ of professional thieves who were after his van, a court heard.
James Ray died on his 70th birthday - the day after he was found suffering from head injuries at an industrial estate.
Jurors in a Manchester Crown Court trial have been told he was delivering a tonne of detergent from his family business to the premises, unloading 25kg sacks one-byone, when thieves struck on November 12 last year.
It is likely he fell from his own Transit - in a ‘violent incident’ - before it was driven away and dumped 600 metres later, the court heard.
Mark Patrick Ward Jnr, 24, of Royds Street, Newbold, denies manslaughter in a Manchester Crown Court trial, but has admitted conspiracy to steal.
His father, Mark Patrick Ward Snr, 44, of Claybank Street, Heywood, denies conspiracy to steal in the same hearing.
Opening the case, prosecutor Neil Fryman said the pair were part of a ‘professional’ crime gang responsible for a spate of thefts from commercial premises in which expensive cars, vans, power tools, surveillance equipment and cash were taken.
Tactics used by the gang included the wearing of hi-visibility jackets, conducting reconnaissance trips, using getaway cars on false plates, and claims to be looking for scrap if challenged.
Mr Fryman said the men were not ‘opportunists’, but ‘part of a very sophisticated and highly organised gang of men who are involved in stealing things professionally’.
“This was a determined group of professional thieves who were going to steal whatever, whatever the risk to anyone in their way, and sadly Mr Ray was in their way - it may have been an accident waiting to happen in many respects”, Mr Fryman added.
Two other men have admitted manslaughter and conspiracy to steal Patrick John McDonagh, 20, of The Cray, Milnrow, and Patrick Cawley, 21, of Orchard Street, Chadderton.
Mr Fryman added: “The prosecution’s case is that when Ward Jnr and his two friends took the van, they knew exactly what (Mr Ray) was doing.
“They took the decision to take his van knowing he’s either in the van at the back or right next to it.
“If you’re taking the van you stand the risk the person will hold onto it and try to protect their goods.
“They took it and carried on regardless - he’s killed as a result of them taking the van in a very reckless way, knowing there’s a real risk of injury.”
Describing Mr Ray’s head injuries, pathologist Dr Charles Wilson told jurors: “I would expect to see this amount of injury from someone who has had an accelerated fall perhaps propelled in some way.”
He said he couldn’t say whether Mr Ray had been pushed or not, and he said Mr Ray did not suffer injuries consistent with falling from the van while it was travelling at speed.
Describing the head injuries that were sustained in the incident at Plantation Industrial Estate in Ashton under Lyne Dr Wilson said: “This is more than what I’d expect to see from a fall from a standing height, but less than what I’d expect to see from somebody who’s come out of a moving vehicle.”