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Teenager killed when fight broke out outside nightclub died of one blow, manslaughter trial expert says
- An expert says Steven Thompson died of a single blow in a fight last August
- He was beaten when a fight broke out outside the Roxannes club on South Tyneside.
- Ian Hall denies manslaughter and is on trial at Newcastle Crown Court
- Leon Wildgoose and Dylan Ford have already pleaded guilty to the charge
A teenager who was killed when trouble broke out outside a downtown nightclub died as a result of a single blow, jurors heard.
Steven Thompson, 19, was in South Tyneside this past August bank holiday weekend when he was attacked in the street. He died at the hospital.
Ian Hall, 41, of South Shields, denies manslaughter and is on trial by jury at Newcastle Crown Court.
Leon Wildgoose, 22, and Dylan Ford, 23, both of South Shields have already pleaded guilty to the charge.
19-year-old Steven Thompson (pictured) was in South Tyneside this past August bank holiday weekend when he was attacked in the street. He died in the hospital
The court heard that after a disturbance broke out outside Roxannes nightclub, Ian Hall, who had also been socializing that night, headbutted another man and then punched or headbutted Mr Thompson and the two ended up in soil.
The court heard that after a disturbance broke out outside the Roxannes nightclub, Hall, who had also been socializing that night, headbutted another man and then punched or headbutted Mr Thompson and they both ended up in the I usually.
The court heard that Mr Thompson was attacked by the two younger men, got back to his feet and was chased down the road before Wildgoose threw a punch, from which he “never got up”.
In a written statement, Home Office pathologist Dr Jennifer Bolton said it was the final blow that caused Mr Thompson’s death.
She explained: ‘Steven Thompson died as a result of a head injury. It was a head injury that led to unconsciousness, followed by post-concussion respiratory cardiac arrest, and finally death.
Dr Bolton added: ‘The head injury occurred as a result of a blunt forceful impact. This impact has been caused by an accelerated fall from a standing height.
Newcastle Crown Court heard that Mr Thompson was attacked by the two younger men, he rose to his feet again and was chased down the street before Wildgoose threw a punch, from which he “never got up”.
Dr Bolton said the bruises on Mr Thompson’s jaw were consistent with having been caused by a punch that “knocked him unconscious”.
“This blow was ultimately the cause of his head injury and death,” said Dr Bolton, ruling out that Mr Thompson’s death was caused by violence earlier in the riot, when he fell to the ground twice .
She said: “Mr Thompson had been able to get to his feet immediately with no apparent ill effect.”
‘The above components can be excluded from causing the fatal head injury.’
Dr Bolton said Mr Thompson had no bruises on his knuckles, suggesting he did not hit himself.
Prosecutors claim that Hall’s “aggressive actions” toward Thompson “encouraged the other two to unite and attack Steven Thompson,” alleging that they all bear the consequences of what happened.
Hall denies manslaughter.
The trial continues.