Richard Deakin, a 38-year-old bouncer, has gone on trial at Birmingham Crown Court accused of killing a man with a single punch outside a city centre cocktail bar. The defendant, from Moorfield Drive, Halesowen, denies manslaughter following the death of Joshua Johnson-Hector, 31, who suffered a catastrophic head injury in the early hours of December 28 last year.
Fatal punch outside Savanna bar
Prosecutor Matthew Brook KC told the jury that the incident occurred at approximately 4.20am on the pavement outside Savanna, a restaurant and cocktail bar on Bristol Street in Birmingham. CCTV footage captured the moment Deakin, who was working as a doorman, punched Mr Johnson-Hector in the face.
“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,” Mr Brook said. “The following day as a direct result of that brain damage, as a direct result of the punch, Joshua Johnson-Hector died.”
Self-defence claim
Deakin claims he acted in self-defence, but the prosecution argues otherwise. “The prosecution case is the defendant didn’t punch him in self defence and he is guilty of manslaughter,” Mr Brook told the jury. The court heard that Mr Johnson-Hector arrived at the venue in a blue Mercedes at around 4.08am, walked up to Savanna, and was punched shortly after.
The trial continues, with the jury expected to view CCTV footage showing the lead-up to the incident and its aftermath.
