A person has been jailed for 12 years to kill his “very much love” elderly neighbor in a line to close a gate.
57 -year -old Trevor Gocain punched James “Jim” O’Neel, 74, and kicked out of his housing estate and kicked In Covent GardenCentral LondonLeaving her with a painful brain injury.
Mr. O’Neill died hospital Two weeks later.
Southwark crown court On Thursday, he heard how after Gokain, the two left a gate open on the estate.
CCTV showed that the confrontation lasted for less than 90 seconds before Mr. O’Neel was on the ground with serious injuries.
court Heard that a 12 -year -old boy saw the last kick and saw his mother and grandmother, tried to help the victim.
Mr. O’Nell’s widow, Sara, said that she was “completely destroyed” and was harassed by a nightmare.
“Jim was not only my husband for 49 years, but was a companion of my soul,” he said in a victim’s statement.
“I feel sad, often crying, haunted by dark thoughts.
“I struggle to sleep and having bad dreams to see the love of my life that bleeds on the floor.”
He said that he was forced to keep his house for sale and did not leave the flat for weeks after the attack.
His son, Amos O’Neel said that he “started losing consciousness” to his father and told the court: “We never got justice in court.”
Gocain denied wrongdoing but convicted Sarcasm By a jury on 1 May.
Prosecutor Lisa Wilding Casey stated that the violence was “well beyond” from a single punch and used a “shod foot” – in a shoe or boot – as a weapon.
Defense barrister Benjamin Aina Casey said the attack was “completely out of character” and said Gocain had no previous guilty.
However, he was cautious to pursue his wife in 2012.
The court also heard how Gokan was a career for his children, one of whom is autism.
In a loudly read letter in court, he said: “I am very, very sorry. The word can’t describe repentance and I think there is regret.
“I take full responsibility for what happened.
“I failed my children, religion, self, and all Mr. O’Neel.”
Judge Hales told him: “I am satisfied that Mr. O’Neill died in an illegal act, which was reduced by GBH.
“You told the jury that you dialed 999 – your phone is not a mark of this call.
“The truth is that you did nothing at all.”
While sentencing his sentence, Judge Sally-N Hales KC said Gocain said, “On 6 October 2024 your illegal works caused the death of Jim O’Neel, a very loving father and grandfather.
“You did not need to defend yourself – the truth is that, you lost your temper and lost control. You left. Mr. O’Neill did not.
“He was much bigger than you.
“In his shorts and crocx, he did not present any serious threat. Did you actually be threatened, you could go away.”
He said the attack, which included a punch and two kicks, caused the “high risk” grievous bodily harm Or death.
“You did nothing at all,” he said. “Your regrets, if real, has taken a long time.”
Gokan, who wore a gray gel-man sweatpant, showed no feeling as the sentence was passed.
He should pronounce two-thirds of the imprisonment of 12 years before considering the license for release.