Latest news with #TrevorGocan
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Yahoo
Man who beat pensioner to death over gate row jailed for 12 years
A man has been jailed for 12 years for killing his elderly neighbour in a row over shutting a gate. Trevor Gocan, 57, punched and kicked James 'Jim' O'Neill, 74, outside their housing estate in Covent Garden, central London, leaving him with a traumatic brain injury. He died in hospital two weeks later. Southwark Crown Court heard on Thursday how the two exchanged words after Gocan left a gate open on the estate. CCTV showed the confrontation lasted less than 90 seconds before Mr O'Neill was on the ground with serious injuries. Judge Sally-Ann Hales KC said told Gocan: 'Your unlawful actions on October 6 2024 caused the death of Jim O'Neill, a much-loved father and grandfather. 'You did not need to defend yourself – the truth is, you lost your temper and control. You walked away. Mr O'Neill did not. 'He was much older than you. 'In his shorts and Crocs, he presented no serious threat. Had you genuinely felt threatened, you could have walked away.' She said the attack, which included a punch and two kicks, carried a 'high risk' of causing grievous bodily harm or death. 'You did absolutely nothing,' she said. 'Your remorse, if genuine, has taken a long time coming.' The court heard a 12-year-old boy witnessed the final kick and watched as his mother and grandmother tried to help the victim. Mr O'Neill's widow, Sara, said she had been left 'completely devastated' and haunted by nightmares. 'Jim was not only my husband for 49 years but my soulmate,' she said in a victim impact statement. 'I feel depressed, often crying, haunted by dark thoughts. 'I struggle to sleep and have recurring nightmares witnessing the love of my life bleeding on the floor.' She said she had been forced to put their home up for sale and had not left the flat for weeks after the attack. Their son, Amos O'Neill, said he saw his father 'start to lose consciousness' and told the court: 'We never got justice in the courtroom.' Gocan denied wrongdoing but was convicted of manslaughter by a jury on May 1. Prosecutor Lisa Wilding KC said the violence went 'well beyond' a single punch and involved the use of a 'shod foot' – in a shoe or boot – as a weapon. Defence barrister Benjamin Aina KC said the attack was 'completely out of character' and added that Gocan had no previous convictions. However, he had received a caution in 2012 for pushing his wife. The court also heard how Gocan was a carer for his children, one of whom has autism. In a letter read aloud in court, he said: 'I am so very, very sorry. Words cannot describe the remorse and regret that I feel. 'I take full responsibility for what happened. 'I failed my children, religion, myself, and above all Mr O'Neill.' Judge Hales told him: 'I am satisfied that Mr O'Neill's death was caused in an unlawful act falling just short of GBH. 'You told the jury you dialled 999 – your phone bore no trace of this call. 'The truth is you did absolutely nothing.' Gocan, who wore grey prison-issue sweatpants, showed no emotion as the sentence was passed. He must serve two-thirds of the 12-year sentence in custody before he can be considered for release on licence. Detective Chief Inspector Wayne Jolley, from Specialist Crime South – who led the investigation – said: 'Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Mr O'Neill, who lost a loved one in shocking circumstances. 'The killer acted disgracefully, punching and kicking his victim in full view of members of the public – among them children – on a busy Sunday morning. 'The jury's verdict shows that casual, thuggish violence will not be tolerated on London's streets. There was absolutely no excuse for Gocan's conduct.'
The Independent
11 hours ago
- The Independent
Neighbour beat ‘much-loved' father to death in row over shutting a gate
A man has been jailed for 12 years for killing his 'much-loved' elderly neighbour in a row over shutting a gate. Trevor Gocan, 57, punched and kicked James "Jim" O'Neill, 74, outside their housing estate in Covent Garden, central London, leaving him with a traumatic brain injury. Mr O'Neill died in hospital two weeks later. Southwark Crown Court heard on Thursday how the two exchanged words after Gocan left a gate open on the estate. CCTV showed the confrontation lasted less than 90 seconds before Mr O'Neill was on the ground with serious injuries. The court heard that a 12-year-old boy witnessed the final kick and watched as his mother and grandmother tried to help the victim. Mr O'Neill's widow, Sara, said she had been left 'completely devastated' and haunted by nightmares. 'Jim was not only my husband for 49 years but my soulmate,' she said in a victim impact statement. 'I feel depressed, often crying, haunted by dark thoughts. 'I struggle to sleep and have recurring nightmares witnessing the love of my life bleeding on the floor.' She said she had been forced to put their home up for sale and had not left the flat for weeks after the attack. Their son, Amos O'Neill, said he saw his father 'start to lose consciousness' and told the court: 'We never got justice in the courtroom.' Gocan denied wrongdoing but was convicted of manslaughter by a jury on May 1. Prosecutor Lisa Wilding KC said the violence went 'well beyond' a single punch and involved the use of a 'shod foot' – in a shoe or boot – as a weapon. Defence barrister Benjamin Aina KC said the attack was 'completely out of character' and added that Gocan had no previous convictions. However, he had received a caution in 2012 for pushing his wife. The court also heard how Gocan was a carer for his children, one of whom has autism. In a letter read aloud in court, he said: 'I am so very, very sorry. Words cannot describe the remorse and regret that I feel. 'I take full responsibility for what happened. 'I failed my children, religion, myself, and above all Mr O'Neill.' Judge Hales told him: 'I am satisfied that Mr O'Neill's death was caused in an unlawful act falling just short of GBH. 'You told the jury you dialled 999 – your phone bore no trace of this call. 'The truth is you did absolutely nothing.' Passing her sentencing, Judge Sally-Ann Hales KC said told Gocan: 'Your unlawful actions on October 6 2024 caused the death of Jim O'Neill, a much-loved father and grandfather. 'You did not need to defend yourself – the truth is, you lost your temper and control. You walked away. Mr O'Neill did not. 'He was much older than you. 'In his shorts and Crocs, he presented no serious threat. Had you genuinely felt threatened, you could have walked away.' She said the attack, which included a punch and two kicks, carried a 'high risk' of causing grievous bodily harm or death. 'You did absolutely nothing,' she said. 'Your remorse, if genuine, has taken a long time coming.' Gocan, who wore grey prison-issue sweatpants, showed no emotion as the sentence was passed. He must serve two-thirds of the 12-year sentence in custody before he can be considered for release on licence.
BBC News
12 hours ago
- BBC News
Man who killed neighbour in Covent Garden gate row jailed
A man has been jailed for 12 years for killing his elderly neighbour in a row over shutting a Gocan, 57, punched and kicked James "Jim" O'Neill, 74, on 6 October 2024 outside their housing estate in Covent Garden, central London, leaving him with a traumatic brain O'Neill died in hospital two weeks was convicted of manslaughter by a jury on 1 May , and must serve two-thirds of his 12-year sentence in custody before he can be considered for release on licence. Southwark Crown Court heard on Thursday how the two men exchanged words after Gocan left a gate open on the showed the confrontation lasted less than 90 seconds before Mr O'Neill was left on the ground with serious injuries. Judge Sally-Ann Hales KC said told Gocan: "You did not need to defend yourself - the truth is, you lost your temper and control. "In his shorts and Crocs, he presented no serious threat. Had you genuinely felt threatened, you could have walked away." 'Recurring nightmares' Judge Hales said the attack, which included a punch and two kicks, carried a "high risk" of causing grievous bodily harm or death. Mr O'Neill's widow, Sara, said she had been left "completely devastated" and haunted by nightmares."Jim was not only my husband for 49 years but my soulmate," she said in a victim impact statement."I struggle to sleep and have recurring nightmares witnessing the love of my life bleeding on the floor."Mrs O'Neill said she had put their home up for sale and did not leave the flat for weeks after the a letter read aloud in court, Gocan said he felt remorse and regret for the attack."I failed my children, religion, myself, and above all Mr O'Neill," he Hales told him: "I am satisfied that Mr O'Neill's death was caused in an unlawful act falling just short of GBH."You told the jury you dialled 999 - your phone bore no trace of this call. The truth is you did absolutely nothing."Gocan, who wore grey prison-issue sweatpants, showed no emotion as the sentence was passed.
Daily Mail
12 hours ago
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS Killer who beat his 74-year-old neighbour to death in row over gate outside his Covent Garden flat is jailed for 12 years
A killer who beat his elderly neighbour to death in a row about shutting a gate has been jailed for 12 years. Trevor Gocan, 57, repeatedly punched and kicked 74-year-old James O'Neill to leave him bleeding on the ground outside his flat in Covent Garden, central London. Mr O'Neill, known to family as Jim, was left in a coma after the savage beating on October 6 last year and died in hospital two weeks later. Father-of-two Gocan was originally charged with grievous bodily harm with intent following the assault, however this was then changed to murder after Mr O'Neill died. Gocan claimed he acted in self-defence and a jury at Southwark Crown Court cleared him of murder but convicted him of manslaughter. In a victim impact statement O'Neill's wife, Sara O'Neill said: 'Jim was not only my husband, but my soulmate and the reason I came to this country. 'His sudden and brutal killing left me completely devastated. I was unable to say goodbye or prepare myself in any way for life without him. 'I am heartbroken knowing that Jim will miss seeing his children and grandchildren grow up. 'I replay the event over and over in my mind. I have been plagued by the forensic details of his injuries.' His son Lee O'Neill said in his statement: 'I was left with a sense of injustice that I never got to say goodbye to him. 'I thought that attending the murder trial would give me a sense of closure. 'But seeing how [Gocan] lied and covered up his actions rather than showing any accountability or remorse for what he had done made me feel more pain and more bitterness.' Another son Amos O'Neill said in his victim impact statement: 'He will never know my daughter and I will miss him dearly. 'The perpetrator said he did nothing wrong. There was not one ounce of remorse or humility in his voice or words. We never got justice in the courtroom. 'I struggle to think about my father because it is too painful.' Lisa Wilding, KC, prosecuting, said Gocan did nothing to help Mr O'Neill. 'The defendant conspicuously did not assist Mr O'Neill, which removes that potential mitigating feature. 'The punch was delivered with sufficient force that it caused his tooth to be dislodged. It was dislodged with sufficient force that it left it through and through wound to his mouth.' She said Gocan and Mr O'Neill were neighbours and lived in the Odhams Walk estate off Long Acre, in Covent Garden. Gocan was caught on CCTV at a nearby Pret a Manger buying a sandwich and a hot drink, which he was still holding when he encountered Mr O'Neill, who was wearing crocs, shorts and a t-shirt. 'An argument started - probably about shutting a gate - and it descended to violence,' the prosecutor said. 'He punched and kicked at Mr O'Neill, who was immediately sent to the ground with an obviously bleeding head wound.' Ms Wilding said the killer's punches were delivered with 'significant force' to knock out one of the victim's teeth and followed up by kicks. Mr O'Neill suffered catastrophic head injuries as well as fractured ribs and died on October 22. Sentencing Gocan, Judge Sally-Ann Hales said: 'Mr O'Neill was taking a walk while his wife cooked their Sunday lunch. 'I am prepared to accept that Mr O'Neill may have come across as forthright and rude given what other witnesses have had to say about their interactions with him on other occasions. 'This had nothing to do with racism or suggestions of racism on the estate. It is something that I mention because it was referred to today during the course of mitigation. 'Mr O'Neill's wife of almost fifty, his sons and daughter speak of the impact of what you have done has had and continues to have on their family. They speak of their loss and pain far more eloquently than I can. 'No sentence I may pass can begin to compensate them for the enormous loss that they have suffered. 'I am satisfied that the unlawful act carried a high risk of death or grievous bodily harm, and that ought to have been obvious to me. 'He was much older than you. He was in his shorts and crocs and presented no physical threat. 'I reject entirely the suggestion that you needed to defend yourself. 'You have written to me to express your remorse. You showed no remorse at the time and none at trial. 'Your remorse, if genuine, has taken a long time coming.' Gocan was jailed for 12 years. He will serve two thirds of his sentence in custody, excluding the 248 days he has already served. The judge added: 'May I convey my condolences and the court's condolences to member's of Mr O'Neill's family who are in court today.' Gocan, of Odhams Walk, Covent Garden, admitted he inflicted the serious injuries upon Mr O'Neill but claimed he acted in self-defence. He denied and was acquitted of murder but convicted of manslaughter.
The Independent
12 hours ago
- The Independent
Killer jailed for beating neighbour to death after row over closing a gate
A man has been jailed for 12 years for killing his elderly neighbour in a row over shutting a gate. Trevor Gocan, 57, punched and kicked James "Jim" O'Neill, 74, outside their housing estate in Covent Garden, central London, leaving him with a traumatic brain injury. He died in hospital two weeks later. Southwark Crown Court heard on Thursday how the two exchanged words after Gocan left a gate open on the estate. CCTV showed the confrontation lasted less than 90 seconds before Mr O'Neill was on the ground with serious injuries.
