A grandfather who was killed with a single punch outside a Midlands pub had intervened to protect women from a thug, his family have said. David Darke, 66, was celebrating his work Christmas party at the Crown Inn in Appleby Magna, Leicestershire, on 21 December last year when he encountered Nathan Gothard.
Attack Outside Pub
Leicester Crown Court heard that Gothard, 37, had been making unwelcome advances and remarks towards women in Mr Darke's group. He was asked to leave the pub but later returned and became involved in a fight. Mr Darke was trying to help Gothard to his feet when he was punched, causing him to fall backwards and suffer fatal head injuries. He died in hospital six days later.
Family's Statement
In a statement after the sentencing, Mr Darke's family said: 'Our family has finally seen the person responsible for Dave's death sentenced. Although the sentence shows some accountability, no sentence will ever truly reflect what has been taken from us. Gothard was a braggart whose local pub Dave's colleagues visited after their works Christmas meal. Dave's only 'crime' that night was stepping in the way of a thug intent on harassing the women and antagonising the men in the group.'
They described Mr Darke as a 'much-loved father, brother, grandfather, and friend' who was 'strong, fit, hardworking' and 'lived honestly and treated people with respect'. The family added: 'What makes this even harder to accept is that it was completely avoidable. If Gothard had simply gone home when he was told to, Dave would still be here today.'
Organ Donation Legacy
Mr Darke's organs were donated, giving at least four people a chance of life. 'That says everything about the kind of man he was — even in death, he gave to others,' the family said.
Jail Sentence
Gothard, of Church Street, was cleared of murder but found guilty of manslaughter and sentenced to 10 years in prison on Friday. Detective Inspector Kevin Hames, from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit, said: 'Gothard had every opportunity to walk away but he chose to remain outside the pub and his actions that day have devastated a family.'
