Man guilty of manslaughter after 2022 bus stop attack

A man has been found guilty of killing a bus passenger he assaulted at a stop in Wigston.

Leicestershire Police said Darren Bakewell punched and pushed Christopher Pearson, 78, following an exchange in Long Street on 15 October 2022, causing him to fall backwards on to a low brick wall and metal railings.

Pearson died in hospital 10 days later after suffering complications arising from his injuries from the assault, with police investigations establishing a link between the attack and his death.

Bakewell, 62, of Bentinghouse Gardens in Leicester, was found guilty of manslaughter at Leicester Crown Court on Monday. He has been released on bail and is due to be sentenced on 9 October.

At the time of the attack, Pearson told police he had struggled to get off the bus as people were getting on and an exchange then took place.

He said following this, Bakewell had assaulted him, with witnesses saying they saw Bakewell punch Pearson and push him.

Bakewell admitted pushing Pearson to officers at the scene, and he was issued with a community resolution. He also apologised to the victim, who was taken to hospital by ambulance.

Pearson was discharged later the same day. However, police said he continued to experience "significant pain" at home, which affected his mobility and left him unable to lie comfortably in bed.

He saw a doctor two days after the assault as the pain persisted, and he was readmitted to hospital the following day after his wife called an ambulance.

Pearson's condition continued to deteriorate and he developed an infection that led to organ failure. He died on 25 October 2022.

After his death, Bakewell was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and answered no comment in police interview. He provided a prepared statement stating he had acted in self-defence.

A post-mortem examination and further examinations found Pearson's cause of death was sepsis, infection in his bone and fractures of his ribs and vertebra. Police said it was therefore found there was link between the assault where the injuries were sustained and Pearson's death.

Det Con Rachael Lee said: "This is a devastating incident which should never have happened.

"The instant and thoughtless actions of Bakewell caused injuries which ultimately led to Mr Pearson's death.

"My thoughts are with Mr Pearson's family who have suffered the unimaginable and who have shown true dignity, patience and courage as this investigation has been brought to court."

Listen to BBC Radio Leicester on Sounds and follow BBC Leicester on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.