The man accused of murder outside Ivy restaurant
THIS is the man accused of murdering the UK boss of Qatar National Bank outside celebrity nightspot The Ivy.
Steven Allan, 34, shoved and punched Paul Mason in a random attack after drinking in various bars, the Old Bailey has heard.
The electrician then accused the millionaire, 52, of kidnapping his nephew, the court was told.
Jurors heard how Allan knocked Mr Mason to the floor on the night in December 2020 after initially accusing him of stealing his friend’s mobile.
As Mr Mason tried to get up, Allan struck him with an uppercut, the court was told. Witnesses described the ‘sickening crunch’ as Mr Mason’s skull hit the pavement.
Doctors battled to save Mr Mason but he died in June 2021.
Nayara Ruiz, a critical care nurse, was in London’s West End at 10pm with two fellow nurses after a meal out when she saw the two men.
She told the court she saw the suspect ‘pushing the victim with both hands in the chest’ then punching him ‘around his right eye’. She said: ‘ When [ Mr Mason] fell, I heard a crack when his head hit the floor. He wasn’t moving. I saw some spots of blood on the pavement and a bit on his forehead. We went over to try and help him. The suspect said “Leave him, don’t touch him, you don’t know what he did”. Then I think he said he had kidnapped someone.’
Jurors earlier heard from nurse Laura Gil Selva, who recalled Allan saying: ‘He’s kidnapped my nephew.’ Allan’s defence lawyer William Boyce, KC, said a passing taxi blocking her view meant Ms Ruiz could not be sure Allan had punched Mr Mason in the face.
Ms Ruiz said she was able to see through the cab windows.
Allan, of Hook, Hampshire, was traced by CCTV. He admits manslaughter but denies murder.
The trial continues.