Electrician Steven Allan punched Paul Mason three times in the mistaken
belief that he had stolen his friend’s mobile phone.
Mr Mason, the CEO of Qatar National Bank, was knocked unconscious and died
six months later as a result of serious head injuries.
Allan, 34, of Hook in Hampshire, admitted manslaughter but denied intending
to cause serious harm to the 52-year-old.
On Thursday, after a retrial, a jury at the Old Bailey deliberated for 24
hours before finding him not guilty of the more serious offence of murder.
Judge Michael Topolski KC extended Allan’s conditional bail while
adjourning sentencing to allow for the preparation of a report.
“Make no mistake, a substantial term of imprisonment will be the end result
in this case,” he warned the defendant.
The father of a 22-stone daughter allegedly told her to “stop screaming”
before she died.
‘Father and son murdered wife’s new partner after discovering him hiding in
wardrobe,’ according to police.
Baldwin is charged with involuntary manslaughter and faces the death
penalty.
“You have throughout conducted yourself in a way your husband would be
proud of, I am sure,” the judge told Mr Mason’s tearful widow in court.
The court extends its heartfelt condolences to his family and friends, as
well as to you, madam, and your family and friends. It must have been a
long and painful process for you, made even more painful by how long it
took.”
Previously, prosecutor Jane Bickerstaff KC stated that the victim was with
two friends on the evening of December 15, 2020, at The Ivy Club, an
exclusive private members’ club in Soho.
He swiped in with his membership card and then helped a female friend into
a black taxi before walking up West Street towards the intersection where
he was attacked.
Allan had been out in the West End with a coworker when he was caught on
CCTV entering a Chinese restaurant.
According to witnesses, Allan later launched himself at Mr Mason at
Cambridge Circus.
He marched across the street, attempting to grab something from Mr Mason,
who shrugged and stepped back.
Allan pursued him and punched him in the face with his right fist, knocking
Mr Mason into buildings and onto the floor.
He leaned down as Mr Mason moved away, then punched him again as he tried
to get back on his feet.
Allan delivered an uppercut, causing Mr Mason to fly back and land on his
back, his head slamming into the pavement.
Before fleeing, Allan took Mr Mason’s phone and told onlookers, “That’s my
friend’s phone. He stole the phone from one of my friends.”
“At no point did Mr Mason offer any violence or aggression towards Mr
Allan,” Ms Bickerstaff told jurors.
Mr Mason died on June 4, 2021, as a direct result of the assault six months
before.
“This was an assault with fists only, with no use of any weapon,” Ms
Bickerstaff stated.
“The defendant had been drinking and his case is that he was acting under
the mistaken belief that the victim had stolen his friend’s mobile
telephone.
“The Crown claims there was no realistic basis for this belief, and if it
was his belief, it was undoubtedly caused by his level of self-induced
intoxication.”
On March 23, Allan will be sentenced for manslaughter at the Old Bailey.
belief that he had stolen his friend’s mobile phone.
Mr Mason, the CEO of Qatar National Bank, was knocked unconscious and died
six months later as a result of serious head injuries.
Allan, 34, of Hook in Hampshire, admitted manslaughter but denied intending
to cause serious harm to the 52-year-old.
On Thursday, after a retrial, a jury at the Old Bailey deliberated for 24
hours before finding him not guilty of the more serious offence of murder.
Judge Michael Topolski KC extended Allan’s conditional bail while
adjourning sentencing to allow for the preparation of a report.
“Make no mistake, a substantial term of imprisonment will be the end result
in this case,” he warned the defendant.
The father of a 22-stone daughter allegedly told her to “stop screaming”
before she died.
‘Father and son murdered wife’s new partner after discovering him hiding in
wardrobe,’ according to police.
Baldwin is charged with involuntary manslaughter and faces the death
penalty.
“You have throughout conducted yourself in a way your husband would be
proud of, I am sure,” the judge told Mr Mason’s tearful widow in court.
The court extends its heartfelt condolences to his family and friends, as
well as to you, madam, and your family and friends. It must have been a
long and painful process for you, made even more painful by how long it
took.”
Previously, prosecutor Jane Bickerstaff KC stated that the victim was with
two friends on the evening of December 15, 2020, at The Ivy Club, an
exclusive private members’ club in Soho.
He swiped in with his membership card and then helped a female friend into
a black taxi before walking up West Street towards the intersection where
he was attacked.
Allan had been out in the West End with a coworker when he was caught on
CCTV entering a Chinese restaurant.
According to witnesses, Allan later launched himself at Mr Mason at
Cambridge Circus.
He marched across the street, attempting to grab something from Mr Mason,
who shrugged and stepped back.
Allan pursued him and punched him in the face with his right fist, knocking
Mr Mason into buildings and onto the floor.
He leaned down as Mr Mason moved away, then punched him again as he tried
to get back on his feet.
Allan delivered an uppercut, causing Mr Mason to fly back and land on his
back, his head slamming into the pavement.
Before fleeing, Allan took Mr Mason’s phone and told onlookers, “That’s my
friend’s phone. He stole the phone from one of my friends.”
“At no point did Mr Mason offer any violence or aggression towards Mr
Allan,” Ms Bickerstaff told jurors.
Mr Mason died on June 4, 2021, as a direct result of the assault six months
before.
“This was an assault with fists only, with no use of any weapon,” Ms
Bickerstaff stated.
“The defendant had been drinking and his case is that he was acting under
the mistaken belief that the victim had stolen his friend’s mobile
telephone.
“The Crown claims there was no realistic basis for this belief, and if it
was his belief, it was undoubtedly caused by his level of self-induced
intoxication.”
On March 23, Allan will be sentenced for manslaughter at the Old Bailey.
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