Shocking moment thug storms Sainsbury’s and kills man over queue row | UK | News
Chilling footage shows the moment a killer turned on his heel and walked back into Sainsbury’s and launched a brutal attack, killing a father who had previously encountered him while queuing. Demiesh Williams, 30, was sentenced to five years and three months in prison on Thursday for the death of “hard-working family man” Andrew Clark.
The 43-year-old man died from injuries sustained when Williams struck him with his open palm following an argument at a supermarket in Beckenham, south-east London. Woolwich Crown Court was told Mr Clark challenged the defendant when he tried to force the till.
Williams then left the store and went to a car but decided to return and confront Mr Clark, as seen on CCTV.
The attacker then slapped his victim with his open hand, causing him to fall to the ground, the court was told.
Mr Clark died from his injuries three days later after being declared brain dead.
Williams denied murder but later pleaded guilty to a charge of involuntary manslaughter.
Honor Judge Andrew Lees said: “Andrew Clark was 43 when he died. He was a hard-working family man.
“I heard the heartfelt statements read in court by Andrew’s wife and sister. What the family said in court reveals the magnitude of what happened and the devastating loss and consequences of your actions.
“The family is faced with unimaginable grief from which healing may never be complete. “By all accounts, Andrew Clark was much loved, greatly respected and will be greatly missed, and this should never have happened.
“Demiesh Williams is sentenced to five years and three months for the intentional murder of Andrew Clark.
“You will be imprisoned for up to two-thirds of this sentence, after which you will be released in accordance with the conditions of your licence. If you violate the conditions of your licence, you will be recalled to prison.”
Mr Clark’s 14-year-old daughter had previously told Williams that although he would one day be released, he had “destroyed” her family “in the cruelest way possible”.
In the statement read to the court by his aunt, he said: “My father was not just my father. He was my best friend. We did everything together.
“You did this to my father. My father was the most generous man I know. I don’t want to live my life without him.”
“You have to protect your family while you destroy mine in the most brutal way.”
The court heard Mr Clark, a lifelong Newcastle United supporter, watched his club’s Carabao Cup victory on March 16 with his family at his home in Beckenham.
Prosecutor Alistair Richardson told the court the victim and his wife went to Sainsbury’s near their home to buy food for the day after the match.
Mrs Clark later found her husband arguing with Williams at the till, who then tried to intervene from the front.
Witnesses described seeing Williams walk to his parked car, grab something and return to the store, wearing a face covering, as Mr. Clark left.
Mr Richardson continued: “Mrs Clark saw the defendant coming towards her husband. He was walking towards her determinedly.
“His face was masked. He struck Mr. Clark on the side of the head. All the woman could hear was the noise.
“He didn’t try to break his fall or anything. He just passed out.”
Mr Richardson added that an experienced CCTV officer watched footage of the attack and judged it to be a “slap” delivered with an “open hand” rather than a fist.
Another witness, using a nearby ATM, said he heard a “crack” as Mr Clark’s head hit the ground and then Williams said: “I told you to apologize.”
Mr Clark was taken to hospital but died three days later from a “catastrophic” brain injury.
Williams, himself a father of three, was later arrested at a home in Croydon, south London, and charged two days later.
