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Millwall Thug Accused Of Killing Nottingham Forest Fan Who Died Two Weeks After He Was Punched Is Jailed

Millwall Thug Accused Of Killing Nottingham Forest Fan Who Died Two Weeks After He Was Punched Is Jailed

Andrew Lewis, 50, was arrested after the football match punch-up. His victim 56-year-old Paul O'Donnell died two weeks after the altercation

Rebecca Shepherd

Rebecca Shepherd

A Millwall football thug found himself behind bars for two years after 'sucker-punching' a rival fan who died two weeks later from a brain injury.

Andrew Lewis, 50, attacked Nottingham Forest fan, Paul O'Donnell, 56, on the opening day of last season, according to the Mirror.

Lewis, of Bromley, south London, was arrested following trouble in the car park before kick-off on August 4 2017 and admitted that he was having 'good natured banter' but got 'pissed off' with Mr O'Donnell's taunts.

Andrew Lewis.
PA

A fortnight later, Mr O'Donnell, was found in a critical condition at his home near Nottinghamshire after falling down the stairs. He later died in hospital from a brain injury.

Lewis of Bromley, south London, pleaded guilty to a charge of inflicting grievous bodily harm but Judge Gregory Dickinson QC formally directed a verdict of not guilty of manslaughter after prosecutors offered no evidence.

According to the BBC, the victim suffered a skull fracture and bleeding on the brain as a result of the 'entirely unnecessary as well as aggressive blow' which happened while Lewis was under the influence of 'seven pints'.

Miranda Moore QC, prosecuting, told the court Mr O'Donnell suffered from memory loss and severe headaches when he was released from hospital after the initial attack.

Paul O'Donnell
Paul O'Donnell

However, doctors could not say for certain the injuries caused by Lewis were directly responsible for Mr O'Donnell's death, the prosecutor said.

Ms Moore QC, told Leicester Crown Court: "There were a large number of fans in the car park. Mr O'Donnell and Lewis exchanged words.

"Mr O'Donnell looked away from Lewis who punched him with his right fist. The victim immediately fell to the floor."

Matthew Sherratt, defending, said lifelong Millwall fan Lewis was 'deeply ashamed' about his actions on the day.

He added: "He [Lewis] has let himself down, he has let his family down and he has let his son down. He is sorry. He should never have punched Mr O'Donnell. He makes no excuses. There was no provocation."

PA

But sentencing him to two years in jail, Judge Gregory Dickinson QC said: "You approached Mr O'Donnell and he was looking away and did not see the blow coming, he was knocked unconscious and paramedics took him to hospital.

"The fall down the stairs may well have had nothing to do with the injury caused by you, the experts have advised that it is simply not possible to tell and that is why the prosecution offered no evidence in the charge of manslaughter.

"This was an aggressive act and the man had no means of defending himself as he was looking away."

As well as the prison sentence, Lewis was banned from attending football matches for six years.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: UK News, News, Football, UK