Thug’s brother attacked Good Samaritan, jury told (From Daily Echo)
When news happens, text SDE and your photos or videos to 80360. Or contact us by email and phone.
Thug’s brother attacked Good Samaritan, jury told
10:22am Thursday 12th August 2010 in News
Luke Pritchard
THE brother of a teenage thug jailed for the manslaughter of an Indian seaman attacked a man who had helped put him behind bars, a court heard.
Luke Pritchard punched Jody Miles and tried to headbutt him when they were drinking in the same pub, jurors were told.
Pritchard is alleged to have said to Mr Miles: “I’m the man who’s going to kill you. You took three years of his life and now I’m going to take yours. My brother got three years and you got £250.”
In 2007 Mr Miles had gone to the assistance of Gregory Fernandes when he was attacked by a gang in Fawley.
He received a commendation and £250 from a judge after Stephen Pritchard, Chay Fields and Daniel Rogers had pleaded guilty to manslaughter and causing grievous bodily harm and were jailed for a total of more than 19 years.
Mr Miles later received a Association of Chief Police Officers’ public bravery award.
Mr Miles told Southampton Crown Court that the manslaughter case had sparked considerable “emotion” in the area and he had been verbally abused. He also explained how he tried to give the £250 to the seaman’s family but they had rejected the offer.
He described how he had been drinking in the Varsity pub in London Road, Southampton, last December when he saw a stranger continually staring at him.
When he returned from the toilets, the man confronted him and asked if he was Jody Miles.
Mr Miles told the court: “I didn’t want to say yes because I didn’t know what was going on. I said ‘Yes, I might be.’”
Mr Miles said he didn’t want trouble and tried to walk past but he was grabbed and punched two or three times. He also deflected a headbutt and feared he was going to be knifed.
Mr Miles said he suffered bruising to his cheekbone and around the eyes and had his coat torn before a barman intervened.
Pritchard, of Hammonds Green, Totton, denies threatening to take revenge and battery.
Proceeding
