Teen gets three years custody for killing drunk man on park bench
A 16-YEAR-OLD has been sentenced to three and a half years in custody for the manslaughter of a man who was so drunk he was "effectively comatose" on a street bench.
The youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared at Nottingham Corwn Court today to be sentenced for the attack on James Peter Sheppard, 54, outside Mansfield Community Hospital on July 13 last year.
Paul Mann QC, prosecuting, said Mr Sheppard was "effectively comatose with drink" after consuming at least nine pints of lager and possibly a bottle of whisky.
His attacker, who was just 15 at the time, had been with two friends when they passed by Mr Sheppard slouched on the bench.
EXPLAINED: Why we cannot reveal the identity of the attacker.
The youth, who went on to admit manslaughter, poured beer over Mr Sheppard to wake him up but when he showed no reaction he tapped his pint glass on him and then threw it at his head.
He went on to punch and kick him.
His two co-accused, who also cannot be named due to their age, have been dealt with at Nottingham Crown Court for assaulting Mr Sheppard.
They were given 12 month supervision orders and three month curfews.
Judge Michael Stokes QC said it was not right for the 16-year-old to be named as it was likely to adversely affect his rehabilitation.
He described the incident as "drunken yobbery".
He said the victim was particularly vulnerable.
He said: "James Peter Sheppard last July was doing nothing at all that could possibly have caused any sensible person to react as you and your friends did.
"Yes, he had a lot to drink, but all he was doing was sleeping on a bench in a public place in Mansfield.
"You and your friends, who had been drinking when you shouldn't have been and drinking far too much, obviously thought you would have some fun at his expense.
"I am prepared to accept your initial actions and those of your friends were simply to try to wake him up and then it got much more nasty."
45 Comments
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by Jokerz Gang, Taking over Notts soon
Tuesday, July 20 2010, 9:53PM
“Would of been funnier if they set him on fire and filmed it then put it on youtube lol.”
by Madbadger, The Sett
Tuesday, July 20 2010, 8:06PM
“I appluade this decision, these youths stood up against the crime of drinking in public.
They should get medals for public service.”
by Law Breaking Citizen, The Hero Of Notts Criminals
Tuesday, July 20 2010, 7:58PM
“One less pi$$head to worry about roaming the streets.
Well done my son.”
by tony montana, ya-yo
Sunday, July 18 2010, 4:32PM
“regardless of anything else, the nasty lad in this story who threw the glass at the sleeping man to wake him up , is a character with an evil sreak and it wont be the last time he makes headlines, they really should introduce post natal abortions for this type of cretun.”
by m, gedling
Saturday, July 17 2010, 9:14PM
“i think mr sensible has a sort of point tho,
i mean if these drunken teenagers had kicked to death a serving policeman would they still be looking at 3 years (18 months in reality) ?
i think not, and as for anonymity ? i scratch my head at this so called judge,
ps just had a thought.it cant be the real mr sensible. there was no tory/lib/dem blame,”
by phil, gedling
Saturday, July 17 2010, 6:43PM
“i cant believe thats all they got a defencless drunk what message does this send out to all youngsters growing up???dont get drunk as sombody will kick you to death?if you dont do it first?shamfull?life they should of got all of them?”
by Hooplah, Mansfield
Saturday, July 17 2010, 1:08PM
“3 years for the cold blooded murder of a vulnerable defenceless man. Well it is a comforting thought that the British Justice system is always there to protect us all.Now we can all sleep safely in our beds. Who was it that said the law is an ass?”
by Cheeta, Somewhere in Africa
Saturday, July 17 2010, 1:16AM
“I have noticed various "impersonations" of various regulars on here. This is not good, and about time the NEP have a locked in user name and membership for all.”
by Ken, Notts
Saturday, July 17 2010, 12:10AM
“p-a-t-h-e-t-i-c !!!! :(”
by Mr. Sensible, The Seventh Circle of Hell
Friday, July 16 2010, 9:42PM
“"It really amounts to libel or something to post such execrable messages"
My presumption is that "Mr. Sensible" is a pseudonym ... I am doubtful libel law would be applicable to this particular case.
"whoever it is has exceeded the bounds of decency by suggesting that an old drunk is worth less than a young scumbag killer just on account of age and supposed usefulness to society"
Obviously you're unfamiliar with the Internet phenemon known as Trolling. I don't actually mean or believe in anything I've written, I simply find it amusing reading the replies of people who are gullible enough to fall for it. If you're still confused feel free to Google "Zen and the art of trolling".
"Obviously this guy was a racist and should have been killed , I agree with Mr Sensible 3 years is long enough for this man"
This post was made by MadBadger ... a fellow troll and a very successful one at that.
"I too think that something should be done to stop people posting in Mr Sensible's name, particularly when they are being so distasteful about the death of a poor, vulnerable human being"
They can very easily do something about this. Firstly they should make it so that you can't use fake E-Mail addresses to register with. Secondly They should make each username unique and tied to a particular E-Mail address. Finally they could ban people from posting from a particular IP address if they abuse the system (not the best solution as ISPs use DHCP to dynamically assign addresses)
"I hope the moderators take notice of Marion and ban this clowns email address."
It's spelt Marian (without the O) ... and I know for a fact she didn't report my comment (I was the one who posted her original comment)”