'Defenceless' grandfather killed by single punch

A "chance encounter" in a park in Leicester led to the death of a "defenceless" grandfather who was floored by a single punch.

Leicestershire Police said Joshua Moore was riding a quad bike with a young child when he confronted 62-year-old James McKeown as he walked home from a pub through Beaumont Leys Park on 6 April.

Leicestershire Police said Moore hit McKeown once, causing him to fall to the ground and suffer a head injury. He died a short time later in hospital.

The 33-year-old, of Fowler Close, Beaumont Leys, pleaded guilty to manslaughter at Leicester Crown Court on Thursday, and will be sentenced on 31 July.

Police said after attacking McKeown, Moore placed him in the recovery position and left the park on the quad bike, with no attempt to contact emergency services.

McKeown was found on the ground unconscious by members of the public and taken to hospital, while police set up a cordon at the scene.

More than an hour later, Moore approached an officer at the cordon and admitted assaulting McKeown.

Police said Moore's mobile phone was examined after arrest and showed he had "thought it was more important" to sort out his affairs, including cancelling a tattoo appointment the next day.

McKeown's family said in a statement shortly after his death: "We have lost a loving father, brother, partner and grandfather, our lives will never be the same again.

"Jimmy has lived locally for nearly 20 years and was well known in the community, affectionately known to many as Spider."

Det Insp Kevin Hames, from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit, said: "Sadly, this is a tragic death that could have been avoided.

"Moore had a choice that day and should have walked away, without using any violence, Jim posed no threat to him.

"His actions have now left a family devastated at the loss of their loved one.

"The fact that he didn't make any attempt to contact the emergency services following the incident shows exactly what type of man he is.

"He placed Jim in the recovery position and clearly saw the injuries he had caused but that didn't stop him from riding away, returning home to organise his affairs before handing himself in."

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