Smirking thug who told police ‘I don’t give a

A NOTORIOUS criminal who smirked after killing a father on his way home from watching the Champions League final told police: “I do not give a f***.”

The sickening interview James Gelling gave detectives was revealed for the first time last week during his sentencing at Liverpool Crown Court.

Gelling, of Hampton Road, Southport, formed part of a “gang of about seven’ who attacked father-of-two Ventsislav Marginov, 51, after all watching Liverpool’s win.

The Bulgarian native and LFC fan suffered a fractured skull from the brutal attack and had to be put on a life-support machine for his injuries. He died on June 4.

The court heard how serial criminal Gelling, 32, said in a police interview: “I’m not a***d if he dies or lives, he’s injured permanently, a cabbage. I do not give a f***.”

Gelling was jailed for six years.

Sentencing, Honorary Recorder of Liverpool Andrew Menary QC called the attack an “outrageous incident of street violence” and labelled Gelling “cowardly”.

He said: “You are a lout who just looks for trouble and it’s people like you who make towns like Southport hostile environments.”

John McDermott QC, prosecuting, Gelling and his friends had been out watching the Reds’ clinch with Tottenham Hotspur in the Metro Bar and Hotel, on Portland Street.

Mr Marginov and his two boys had also been watching the match, in a special marquee at the Southport Food & Drink Festival at Victoria Park, before their paths crossed with Gellings outside the Scarisbrick Hotel on Lord Street, at about 10.45pm.

Mr Marginov’s son was punched during the encounter by a member of Gelling’s group, but it was Gelling who delivered the fatal punch to the 51-year-old.

Mr McDermott said Gelling had punched Mr Marginov to the back of the head, causing him to fall.

After the punch was thrown, Mr McDermott said Gelling was seen to “pull his jumper over his face and was smirking”.

Gelling and his pals left the scene and were later captured on CCTV of bars they entered.

When interviewed Gelling had denied being the attacker and had initially claimed he was a victim of assault.

He also claimed he only removed his top because he was warm and did not