A Covent Garden resident who beat his neighbour to death after being told off for not shutting the front gate has been found guilty of manslaughter.
Trevor Gocan, 57, was still holding his Pret a Manger sandwich in his hand when he launched the shocking attack on pensioner Jim O’Neill on October 6 last year.
Mr O’Neill, 74, was punched in the head and then kicked as he lay on the ground, the court heard, and died in hospital from his injuries just over a fortnight later.
At Southwark crown court, Gocan was cleared of murder but found guilty of manslaughter. He had told jurors that he was acting in self defence after being “scared” by Mr O’Neill.
“The killer acted disgracefully, punching and kicking his victim in full view of members of the public – among them children – on a busy Sunday morning”, said Met Police Detective Chief Inspector Wayne Jolley. “The jury’s verdict shows that casual, thuggish violence will not be tolerated on London’s streets. There was absolutely no excuse for Gocan’s conduct.”
The court heard the access gate to the estate was open from Monday to Friday, but would be closed on Sundays.
Mr O’Neill had gone out for a walk to “earn” his Sunday roast dinner with his wife, while Gocan had been out at the local Pret buying a sandwich and a hot drink.
The altercation happened back at the Covent Garden estate off Long Acre where both men lived, when Gocan, a former postman and father-of-two, left the gate open and was admonished by Mr O’Neill.
Prosecutor Lisa Wilding KC said Mr O’Neill was punched so hard to the face that a tooth fell out.
“Trevor Gocan and Mr O’Neill encountered each other at the entrance gate to the estate”, she said.
“An argument started, probably about shutting the gate and it descended to violence.
“The violence was delivered by the defendant - Trevor Gocan – he punched and kicked at Mr O’Neill who was immediately sent to the ground with an obviously bleeding head wound.”
The court heard Gocan walked away from his victim, offered no help for his injuries or making efforts to call emergency services.
A family - including a 12-year-old boy - had seen the attack from across the road as they left Zara, and rushed over to help.
But they were initially thwarted because Mr O’Neill was lying on the ground beyond the gate which was now locked.
Gocan, of Odhams Walk, Covent Garden, was remanded in custody ahead of sentencing on June 26.
