29/01/2020
Padraig Fox's Killer Jailed For Three Years
A 22 year-old will spend three years in prison for the manslaughter of a vulnerable Co Down man.
Padraig Fox was found dead at a flat in the Burrendale Park Road area of Newcastle on 08 December 2018.
He lost his life in a one punch attack in which the attacker and two others, who were known to Mr Fox as friends, failed to call an ambulance.
A sitting at Laganside Crown Court saw Donnacha Rice handed a sentence of three years in custody and three on licence for manslaughter, perverting the course of justice, fraud by false representation and common assault.
Two others were also sentenced over the killing.
Paul Patrick Magennis, aged 28, will serve 15 months in jail and 15 on licence for perverting the course of justice and common assault.
Nathan Robert Rice, aged 21, was handed one year on probation and 40 hours of Community Service. He was convicted of perverting the course of justice.
Mr Fox lost his life when a fight broke out at the Co Down flat.
Mr Rice punched the victim in bad temper, knocking him to the floor before leaving with the other two males, neither of whom attempted to seek medical help.
All three later alleged that Mr Fox had attacked Magennis with a knife and Rice had been injured trying to intervene.
It was proven that their account had been totally fabricated, with evidence coming to light that the pair had cut themselves and placed a knife in the victim's hand to frame him.
The case also revealed that the trio cashed in a betting slip belonging to Mr Fox following his death. The winnings were £7.60.
Detective Inspector Michelle Griffin welcomed the sentencing.
"They callously walked out and left him to die," DI Griffin commented.
"Padraig's family have had to sit through this harrowing trial, listening to every detail of Padraig's last moments. No-one should ever have to go through this torment. His family have been left devastated and whilst I know nothing will ever ease the pain and loss Padraig's death has caused, I hope the sentencing today will bring some kind of closure for them."
(JG/CM)
Padraig Fox was found dead at a flat in the Burrendale Park Road area of Newcastle on 08 December 2018.
He lost his life in a one punch attack in which the attacker and two others, who were known to Mr Fox as friends, failed to call an ambulance.
A sitting at Laganside Crown Court saw Donnacha Rice handed a sentence of three years in custody and three on licence for manslaughter, perverting the course of justice, fraud by false representation and common assault.
Two others were also sentenced over the killing.
Paul Patrick Magennis, aged 28, will serve 15 months in jail and 15 on licence for perverting the course of justice and common assault.
Nathan Robert Rice, aged 21, was handed one year on probation and 40 hours of Community Service. He was convicted of perverting the course of justice.
Mr Fox lost his life when a fight broke out at the Co Down flat.
Mr Rice punched the victim in bad temper, knocking him to the floor before leaving with the other two males, neither of whom attempted to seek medical help.
All three later alleged that Mr Fox had attacked Magennis with a knife and Rice had been injured trying to intervene.
It was proven that their account had been totally fabricated, with evidence coming to light that the pair had cut themselves and placed a knife in the victim's hand to frame him.
The case also revealed that the trio cashed in a betting slip belonging to Mr Fox following his death. The winnings were £7.60.
Detective Inspector Michelle Griffin welcomed the sentencing.
"They callously walked out and left him to die," DI Griffin commented.
"Padraig's family have had to sit through this harrowing trial, listening to every detail of Padraig's last moments. No-one should ever have to go through this torment. His family have been left devastated and whilst I know nothing will ever ease the pain and loss Padraig's death has caused, I hope the sentencing today will bring some kind of closure for them."
(JG/CM)
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