Joshua Moore: Man who killed James McKeown with single punch in Leicestershire park admits manslaughter
A man has admitted killing his 62-year-old grandfather with a single punch in a park in Leicestershire.
Leicestershire Police said James McKeown, also known as Jim, died in hospital after he was found injured by a member of the public at Beaumont Leys Park in Leicester on April 6.
Joshua Moore, 33, appeared at Leicester Crown Court on Thursday and pleaded guilty to one count of manslaughter.
Police said Mr McKeown was walking home from a nearby pub when he was attacked by Moore, who was riding a quad bike with a young child in the park.
Moore confronted Mr McKeown and punched him in the face, causing him to fall and hit his head on the pavement.
He placed the victim in a rescue position and left the park without attempting to call for help.
About an hour later, Moore approached a police officer on the cordon and told him what he had done.
An examination of Moore’s phone revealed that instead of calling 999, he spent his time running errands and even canceled a tattoo appointment he had booked the next day.
Addressing Moore on the bench, Judge Timothy Spencer KC said: “This is a brave plea to join, I realize that, and you will be praised for it.
“But you have admitted to unlawfully killing someone; this is an extremely serious situation and you face prison time, but I will keep an open mind.”
The court adjourned sentencing for Moore, of Fowler Close, Beaumont Leys, until July 31 to allow pre-sentence reports to be collected.
In a statement following his death, Mr McKeown’s family said he was well known in the community where he lived for nearly 20 years and that many people knew him as “Spider”.
Detective Inspector Kevin Hames, of the East Midlands Special Operations Unit (EMSOU) Homicide Investigation Team, said: “Sadly this is a tragic death that could have been avoided. Moore had a choice that day and should have walked away without resorting to any violence, Jim posed no threat to him.”
“His actions have devastated a family who have now lost a loved one.
“The fact that he did not try to reach the emergency services after the incident clearly shows the kind of man he is.
“He put Jim in a recovery position and clearly saw the injuries he had caused, but that didn’t stop him from walking away, returning home to sort out his affairs before surrendering.
“Although this was a completely unprovoked attack, Joshua Moore should not have been quad biking in the park in the first place.
“While we are pleased that Moore has admitted responsibility for Jim’s death, there is absolutely no winner in the case.
“Jim’s family now faces life without him and nothing can replace this loss.
“They showed great courage during the investigation and the subsequent legal process. This was not easy for them at all.
“Moore now faces a long prison sentence and I hope this will give him the opportunity to reflect on his actions.
“I would also like to thank the West Leicester community for their support in the investigation and, unlike Joshua Moore, I would also like to thank the members of the community who stopped to provide care for Jim.”
