Ethan Cockram, 21, who admitted manslaughter, is being sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court today for the killing of Simon Beston, a 55-year-old described as a "proud grandad". The attack happened on St Andrew's Street in the Chinatown area of Newcastle.
Attack and Death
Emergency services were called to the scene shortly before 10.30pm on July 26 2025. Beston was found with head injuries after reportedly being punched and falling to the ground. He was taken to hospital and died on August 16 2025.
Cockram, of Durham Street, Wallsend, North Tyneside, pleaded guilty to manslaughter last month and was remanded into custody. Two others, Shayne Cook, 20, of Winifred Gardens, Wallsend, and Lola Charlton, 20, of Fairhaven Avenue, Walker, Newcastle, pleaded guilty to affray and were released on conditional bail.
Court Proceedings
All three are due to be sentenced today. The prosecution case was opened by Emma Dowling. It was stated that Cockram, Cook and Charlton had all been to Ladies Day at Newcastle Racecourse on July 26 last year and had then headed into Newcastle city centre.
The sentencing continues at Newcastle Crown Court.
