Richard Deakin, a 38-year-old bouncer from Halesowen, has been convicted of manslaughter after delivering a single punch that killed a fellow doorman outside a Birmingham city centre cocktail bar. The verdict was delivered at Birmingham Crown Court on Wednesday, July 15, with sentencing adjourned until October.
Fatal Punch Outside Savanna Cocktail Bar
The incident occurred in the early hours of December 28 last year outside Savanna on Bristol Street. Deakin struck Joshua Johnson-Hector, 31, who fell backwards, hit his head on the pavement, and died in hospital the following day. CCTV footage captured the punch, which caused fatal brain damage.
Prosecutor Matthew Brook KC told the jury: "That punch, and it was a heavy punch, caused Joshua to fall backwards on to the pavement and hit the back of his head leading to internal brain damage."
Self-Defence Claim Rejected
Deakin, a former kickboxer, claimed he acted in self-defence, citing previous tension between the pair following an incident at Wireless Festival. He told police he felt 'scared' when Mr Johnson-Hector arrived at 4.08am and delivered what he called a 'pre-emptive' strike. "It was a knee-jerk panicked reaction. I wasn't looking to do some mad finishing shot it was a quick shot," he said.
The jury rejected his self-defence argument, finding him guilty of manslaughter. Deakin, of Moorfield Drive, Halesowen, has been remanded in custody pending sentencing in October.
Impact and Aftermath
The fatal punch has left a family grieving and raised questions about security industry conduct. Joshua Johnson-Hector's family described him as a dedicated doorman and father. The case highlights the dangers of single-punch assaults, which can cause irreversible harm. West Midlands Police urged anyone with information to come forward.
