A thug has pled guilty to killing a man who was out with his son by delivering a ‘forceful’ punch during a fight outside a pub.
Matthew Carroll died from the head injury he sustained on Sunday August 29 after being rushed to hospital at around 1.30am.
Matthew Mahoney confessed to striking Carroll on the face and causing his death by accepting the charge of manslaughter in court.
However, prosecutor Michael Duck confirmed the defendant’s ‘basis of plea’ was not accepted. The case was adjourned for a trial of issue hearing which will take place on Friday, January 28.
CCTV footage captured the events which unfolded outside the Slug & Lettuce in Brindleyplace, Birmingham.
Christopher Millington, defending, conceded Mahony had delivered a ‘forceful’ blow to Mr Carroll, who had been out with his son on the night. He added that he ‘self-reported’ the incident before he was contacted by the police.
Judge Paul Farrer QC, presiding over the case, said the remaining issues could make a significant difference to the sentence, according to Birmingham Live.
Addressing Mahony he said: “I take the view that in order to do justice both to you and to the victim in this case, I need to resolved two issues. Firstly, whether you were in any sense motivated by a belief you needed to protect your friends. Secondly, whether your punch caused the fractures to the right side of Mr Carroll’s face.
“I will resolve those issues on Friday, January 28. It will take a day. I will sentence you on that day subject to the possibility of it moving if events overtake it. In the meantime you are remanded in custody.”
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