Jail for man who killed Glenn Davies with 'cowardly' punch from behind at Northampton town centre pub
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A man who killed 25-year-old Glenn Davies with a "cowardly, forceful" punch to the back of the head through the gate of a Northampton town centre pub has been jailed.
Michael Taiwo, 22, from Lorne Road, ran up behind his victim and punched him through The Old Bank's pub-garden gate in August last year while goading him to "come out and fight me".
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Hide AdBut with just that one punch, Taiwo had done enough damage to fatally injure the 25-year-old. He died less than 24 hours later in hospital.
"It was a cowardly blow from behind," prosecutor Luke Blackburn told Northampton Crown Court today (March 17) at Taiwo's sentencing.
"Mr Davies' family and friends have suffered significant grief and trauma since his death. They say they are unable to move on."
On the night of August 24, Taiwo had in fact been out for after-work-drinks with colleagues from a healthcare company in Brackmills - a company Glenn himself had worked for in the months leading up to the incident.
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Hide AdThe fatal attack happened after Taiwo and two colleagues got into a heated scuffle with Glenn at the Old Bank Pub in St Giles Square at around 11pm.
Witnesses claim they heard Mr Davies angrily shout he had been "mugged off" by one of Taiwo's associates before throwing a punch. A fight broke out as a result.
Taiwo and his colleagues were ejected from the pub by door staff and Taiwo went to leave.
"But at some point, he changed his mind," prosecutor Mr Luke Blackburn told the court. "He asked [another associate] if there was another way back into the pub garden.
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Hide Ad"[The other man] said there was and showed him, not knowing what was about to happen."
CCTV later showed Taiwo approach the Old Bank's garden by the gate on Guildhall Road - where, after spotting Davies through the fence, he "broke into a sprint".
He was blocked and made to retreat but immediately came back running.
It was then that Taiwo reached through the bars of the gate to punch Glenn in the back of the head.
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Hide Ad"The punch was with quite a lot of force, given the visible effect it had on Mr Davies," said the prosecutor.
"Taiwo repeatedly shouted 'come outside, come outside and fight me'."
But around 20 seconds after the savage punch, Glenn collapsed to the floor.
In the minutes after, Taiwo escaped from being held back by door staff and ran away from the scene.
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Hide AdHe later even changed his t-shirt with a friend in McDonald's on the Drapery in a bid to escape being identified.
Meanwhile, staff and members of the public were fighting to save Glenn's life with CPR until an ambulance could rush him to University Hospital Coventry - but, tragically, he died the next day of a haemorrhage.
When Taiwo was arrested, he lied about his involvement in the fight inside the pub and called any witnesses who saw him "liars". But he later pleaded guilty to manslaughter.
In court, Glenn's partner bravely stood to tell her boyfriend's killer how his actions had "taken everything from her."
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Hide AdShe told the court: "He was a kind caring and loving boyfriend. He meant the world to me.
"I never thought I would have to see my boyfriend that way. To me, he was invincible.
"He was such a joy to have in my life and I am completely heartbroken he isn't here."
Taiwo stayed silent throughout the hearing. He hung his head low during his victim's family's statements.
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Hide AdIn sentencing, Her Honour Judge Adrienne Lucking said she had seen a letter written by Taiwo to her as well as several character references from friends and family.
"I accept that you are now genuinely remorseful," she told the court.
"But this offence is so serious that nothing other than an immediate sentence can be justified."
Taiwo was jailed for four years and 10 months.