Pub victim teased over pop and cobs
A teetotaller who was killed by a single punch in a Bilston pub was a well-known face in the community who was playfully teased for drinking cola at the bar and eating cheese cobs, a court heard.
A teetotaller who was killed by a single punch in a Bilston pub was a well-known face in the community who was playfully teased for drinking cola at the bar and eating cheese cobs, a court heard.
Wolves-mad Hughie Ginty died two days after being punched in the Spread Eagle due to a massive bleed on the brain. Wolverhampton Crown Court heard how Karl Louden "floored" Mr Ginty with a single punch. Mr Ginty's brother Sean, told the jury Louden was "ranting and raving" on the night in question.
"He wasn't out for reason, he was out for blood," said Mr Ginty who was in the pub at the time.
The 48-year-old victim suffered from epilepsy and diabetes and had not touched alcohol for more than a year due to his illnesses, the jury was told.
The court heard that when Louden, of Junction Road, Bilston, was arrested on November 27 he told police he had acted in self defence as he was scared of the Ginty family.
He denies manslaughter.
Miss Naomi Gilchrist, prosecuting, said that Mr Ginty was a "well-known and popular face in and around the pubs of Bilston".
She added: "He gave up drinking in December 2007 but continued to go to pubs and socialise with other people.
"It was common knowledge he had given up drinking and instead he drank pop. People would tease him about sitting on a stool in the corner drinking pop and eating cheese cobs."
The court heard how Louden was in a "pumped up and violent mood" from a previous argument earlier in the night on November 22 last year.
Miss Gilchrist said Mr Ginty, of Ash Street, Bradley, was not involved in the disorder in any way but became the "unfortunate victim".
After being punched, he fell to the ground and then went to the toilet to be sick after being helped to his feet by others in the pub in Lichfield Road.
He collapsed while in the toilet and was rushed to New Cross Hospital unconscious.
"A scan of his brain revealed a large bleed and emergency surgery was carried out," Miss Gilchrist told the court.
"But the surgeons were unable to save him and he died 48 hours later."
The trial continues.
