A pub goer punched and killed a grandfather after the victim tried to help him up following a fight outside a village inn, a court has heard.
Incident Outside The Crown Inn
Nathan Gothard, 37, knocked David Darke, 66, to the floor, causing him to hit his head. Mr Darke died in hospital six days later. Leicester Crown Court heard that Mr Darke, who was with colleagues from a Best Western hotel for a Christmas party, was attacked after attempting to assist Gothard to his feet outside The Crown Inn in Appleby Magna, Leicestershire, in December.
Gothard, who is on trial accused of murder, had already been escorted out of the pub after behaving 'inappropriately and making unwanted advances and remarks' towards women in the group, the court was told. However, instead of returning to his home, which was just yards from the pub, he waited outside for the group before picking a fight with one of the men, Ty Fern.
Sequence of Events
The court heard that Gothard lost the fight and was knocked down and kicked in the face by Mr Fern. Mr Darke then 'picked him up and helped him to his feet', but Gothard 'carried on'. Opening the case on Tuesday, Peter Joyce KC, prosecuting, said that having lost the fight, Gothard 'wanted revenge'. 'Having lost face, he wanted it back — he attacked the old man, he attacked David Darke. And he punched him so hard that he was knocked straight to the ground.'
Jurors were told that Gothard, who lived opposite the pub, had been there since 4pm on December 21. Later that night, the hotel workers from Best Western arrived. Mr Joyce said that as well as making inappropriate comments to the women, Gothard told the group it was 'his terrain' and made it clear 'they were in his pub'. The 'atmosphere' in the pub due to his behaviour was described as 'menacing, threatening and argumentative'.
CCTV footage showed Mr Darke 'waving his finger' in the direction of Gothard. The landlady and her partner attempted to calm the situation and 'do their best to prevent trouble'. Her partner 'after much effort' succeeded in escorting Gothard out of the back door of the bar. 'That was with a view to getting him to go home,' Mr Joyce said. 'But he wouldn't go home. He went all the way up the side of the pub and he stayed there for some time.'
The other group had come out of the front door and were gathering to go home. 'He went there to continue his argument with those who had been at the party. In simple terms, he went to look for them.'
Deadly Punch
Mr Joyce said that despite efforts to get the defendant to go the 'very short distance to go home', he became involved in a fight with Mr Fern. 'He had been riling, irritating and niggling and wanted a fight with him and took his glasses off before the fight. He had a fight with Ty Fern. The fight he had with Ty Fern he lost — he picked it and he lost it. He was knocked down and he was kicked and he was injured in the face. He could have gone home then,' Mr Joyce added.
Mr Darke then picked him up and helped him to his feet, but Gothard carried on. 'The defendant in his rage after losing the fight that he had picked with Ty Fern, he attacked Mr Darke to save his own face. And he hit him so hard that he killed him.' CCTV from outside the pub showed Gothard being knocked to the ground and kicked. Mr Darke then reached down and appeared to pull him up by his arm. Moments later, in an area not caught on CCTV, he was punched. He was then seen lying unconscious on the floor. Mr Joyce said Gothard was then seen 'bouncing away' through the car park.
Mr Darke died in hospital on December 27 after suffering a serious head injury. Following his arrest, Gothard gave a prepared statement to police in which he claimed to have been threatened by Mr Darke. Mr Joyce said it was a 'dishonest' account. 'One thing it is not is self-defence,' he said.
Family Tribute
In a statement released through police after his death, Mr Darke's family said: 'Dave was a deeply loved father to three daughters and a proud grandfather to three boys. He was a much-loved brother and a dear friend. Dave will live on forever in our hearts, minds and souls. He was a strong, active, intelligent and kind person who was a friend to all. He was a devoted family man with a deep passion for life, the outdoors, nature and walking. His life was tragically cut short and he's now reunited with his loving, caring parents. He will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved him.'
Gothard, in a black shirt and tie, denies murder and an alternative charge of manslaughter. The trial, due to last seven days, continues.
