Torquay man jailed for manslaughter
A 46-year-old man from Torquay has been jailed for five years and four months for manslaughter after pleading guilty at Exeter Crown Court, following the death of a man who he attacked in Paignton.
Craig Harrison, of Tor Church Road, Torquay, admitted the charge after assaulting Timothy Smith, 69, from Brixham, on Thursday 11 March 2021.
Mr Smith was treated at Torbay District Hospital and discharged later that day but collapsed at his home a week later. Despite being operated on for a bleed on the brain at Derriford Hospital, his condition deteriorated, and he died on Saturday 27 March 2021.
At the sentencing hearing held at Plymouth Crown Court, it was heard that Harrison attacked Mr Smith by punching him to the side of his head.
In a police interview, a witness described that he was working in Victoria Street, Paignton, at around 6.45am when he was approached by Harrison who appeared to be drunk and was slurring his words and remained in the area after they had had a conversation.
At around 7am, Mr Smith approached as part of his daily routine of going to some of the local stores and visiting his brother who lived nearby, prior to starting work on his own property, which he was in the process of renovating.
The witness said he became aware of Harrison approaching with an angry expression on his face and aggressive body language. He said he bumped chests with Mr Smith and without warning, punched the victim on the left side of his head.
The witness said he stepped in between the two men to prevent any further assault and tried to calm the situation.
Mr Smith asked that Harrison be kept away from him, and the witness suggested Mr Smith leave the area as it would be safer for him to do so, which he did.
Mr Smith was treated at Torbay District Hospital and discharged the same day but after feeling unwell for several days afterwards, he collapsed at his home a week later and was taken to Derriford Hospital where he was operated on to remove a large amount of blood on his brain.
He remained in a critical condition and was operated on again, but his condition deteriorated, and he died on Saturday 27 March 2021.
Harrison was arrested on Friday 19 March 2021, on suspicion of attempted murder. He denied being in an altercation and denied punching anyone and was subsequently released on bail, which was extended several times.
He was further arrested on Sunday 28 March on suspicion of murder and on Thursday 10 November, he was also arrested for failing to answer his bail.
He was charged with manslaughter and appeared at Plymouth Magistrates’ Court on Friday 11 November and was remanded in custody.
Harrison pleaded guilty to manslaughter when he appeared at Exeter Crown Court on Tuesday 14 March 2023 and today, Friday 14 April, at Plymouth Crown Court, he was sentenced to five years and four months. He was told that he will have to serve two-thirds of that before he can be released on licence.
Senior Investigating Officer Detective Inspector Ilona Rosson, of the Major Crime Investigation Team, said: “Timothy Smith was going about his daily business when he was subjected to an unprovoked attack by Harrison.
“Although it was a single punch, it led to Timothy’s death and has had a devastating effect on his family.
“Violence against anyone has no place in a civil society and Devon and Cornwall Police will always do the utmost to investigate these matters and bring offenders to justice.
“I thank and commend all those involved in this investigation - the Major Crime Investigation Team, experts, prosecution team and members of the public who have assisted and provided evidence in this case.
“My deepest condolences go to Timothy’s family and those who knew him. I hope that today’s sentence will bring comfort and closure for them.”
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