Man Admits Manslaughter After ‘Innocent Bystander’ Was Punched Outside Chichester Pub
A man has pleaded guilty to manslaughter following the death of an “innocent bystander” who was fatally punched outside a pub in Chichester. However, he has been cleared of murder after a trial at Portsmouth Crown Court.
The tragic incident occurred on the evening of July 29, 2023, outside The Hornet pub in Chichester, West Sussex. The victim, 51-year-old Christopher Barnes, had been enjoying a quiet evening with friends when he was caught up in a confrontation that had nothing to do with him.
The court heard that the defendant, 29-year-old Michael Thorpe, of Bognor Regis, had been drinking heavily that evening and had become aggressive following an earlier dispute inside the pub. Witnesses described Thorpe as “visibly agitated” and “looking for trouble” when he exited the premises around 10:30pm.
As tensions escalated outside, Thorpe approached a small group gathered near the entrance. Although the victim was not involved in the prior altercation, he was standing nearby when Thorpe unexpectedly threw a punch. That single blow struck Mr. Barnes in the head, causing him to fall and hit his head on the pavement.
Emergency services were called to the scene, and Mr. Barnes was rushed to hospital with serious head injuries. Despite the best efforts of medical staff, he died two days later in hospital from traumatic brain injuries.
Thorpe was arrested shortly after the incident and initially charged with murder. During his trial, the prosecution argued that Thorpe’s actions were reckless and that he had shown a disregard for human life. However, the defence successfully argued that there was no intention to kill or cause grievous bodily harm, and that the blow was not premeditated.
Jurors deliberated for several hours before returning a unanimous verdict, finding Thorpe not guilty of murder but accepting his plea of guilty to manslaughter.
In a statement read out in court, Mr. Barnes’ family described him as a “kind-hearted, gentle man” who “would do anything for anyone.” They said his death had left a “huge void” in their lives and hoped that justice would be served.
Judge Rebecca Summers adjourned sentencing until next month to allow for pre-sentence reports to be prepared. She told Thorpe: “You have admitted responsibility for the death of Mr. Barnes. While the jury has cleared you of murder, this is still a very serious offence, and you will face the consequences.”
Detective Chief Inspector Darren Blake, who led the investigation, said: “This was a senseless act of violence that led to the tragic loss of a man who had no involvement in the original incident. We hope today’s outcome provides some measure of closure for Mr. Barnes’ family.”
Thorpe has been remanded in custody until his sentencing hearing, which is expected to take place in late May.
The case serves as a stark reminder of how a single moment of aggression can have fatal consequences, especially when fuelled by alcohol and poor judgement.
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