Football Fan Describes 'Defensive' Punch in Fatal Assault Trial
Lewis MacLeod, 36, from Sunderland, testified in court that he delivered what he called a 'defensive, left one-punch shot' during a violent altercation that resulted in the death of Michael Edwards, a 43-year-old man from Warwickshire. The incident occurred in the early hours of September 13 last year outside a convenience store on Borough High Street in south-east London, following a night where MacLeod consumed eight pints of beer and cocaine.
Details of the Fatal Night Out
MacLeod had travelled to London from the North East to attend a Premier League match between Sunderland and Crystal Palace on September 13, staying with his friend David Jackson. He began drinking at approximately 4pm, consuming eight pints at a pub near King's Cross, later moving to another pub in Elephant and Castle where he took cocaine and did not finish a vodka and coke. At Belushi's bar, he had two more beers.
CCTV footage shown to the jury depicted MacLeod and Jackson being asked to leave Belushi's, with MacLeod attempting to shake hands with Edwards and repeatedly trying to touch his groin, which Edwards batted away. After leaving, Edwards and his friend James Roberts followed MacLeod and Jackson, leading to the confrontation at the shop.
MacLeod's Testimony on the Confrontation
MacLeod told Inner London Crown Court on April 16 that he entered the shop thinking it would be safer, but Edwards and Roberts demanded they 'get outside now.' He expressed feeling 'scared and terrified,' stating, 'I was absolutely terrified and scared. Who would not be scared of the two men. They were definitely going for trouble.'
He recalled his hand being touched twice, as if he were about to be pulled out, and said, 'I felt I was going to get seriously hurt by these two big men and I just gave them a defensive, left one-punch shot.' MacLeod demonstrated his stance in the witness box, with arms apart and outstretched, explaining he told the men to 'leave it' before delivering the blow.
Aftermath and Injuries
Edwards fell backwards onto the street, hitting his head, with blood visible on the pavement when he was moved. A fight then erupted between MacLeod and Roberts inside the shop, resulting in MacLeod fracturing his eye socket. MacLeod admitted to punching Jackson accidentally during the scuffle, saying, 'I should not have. I accept I was in the wrong.'
He walked away without realizing the severity of Edwards' injuries, later taking more cocaine and expressing shock when arrested. Edwards died in hospital four days later from blunt force trauma to the head, with injuries including bruising to the chin, a laceration and fracture to the back of the head, and a severe traumatic brain injury.
Pathologist's Findings and Legal Proceedings
Pathologist Dr. Simon Poole testified that the injuries were consistent with a punch causing a backwards fall onto a hard surface like pavement. Tests revealed Edwards had cocaine and ketamine in his system, but Dr. Poole stated these did not contribute to his death. MacLeod has been charged with manslaughter and has admitted to assault causing actual bodily harm against Roberts, who denies a charge of affray and awaits trial.
In a personal statement, MacLeod apologized to Edwards' family, saying, 'no matter what the outcome of this I want to apologise to the family and I am absolutely devastated,' prompting a bereaved relative to burst into tears in court. The trial continues as jurors deliberate the circumstances of this tragic event.
