Jurors unable to reach verdicts in trial of man who allegedly punched man in the face resulting in his death
manchestereveningnews.co.ukJurors have been unable to reach a verdict in the trial of a man who allegedly punched a stranger in the face after he stepped aside to 'maintain social distancing' - and died after hitting the back of his head on the ground.
Joseph Henderson, aged 53, was walking along Wilmslow Road in Withington when Oscar Shepherd caught up to him, a trial previously heard.
Mr Henderson stepped to one side to allow him to pass, but seconds later he was allegedly punched in the face, and fell backwards, hitting the back of his head. READ MORE: GMP officer in court accused of supplying confidential information for payment Eight days later he sadly died as a result of the impact to his brain, the court heard.
Mr Shepherd, of Aldfied Road, Crumpsall, has pleaded not guilty to an offence of manslaughter. Prosecutor Rob Hall said the incident took place at approximately 5.09pm on August 12 of last year when both Mr Henderson, and Mr Shepherd, 20, were walking in the same direction along Wilmslow Road. “Mr Shepherd caught up with Mr Henderson as Mr Henderson was walking,” he told the jury. “Mr Henderson stood back to let Mr Shepherd come past to maintain some social distancing. “There followed an interaction between these two men which lasted for a period of seconds and resulted in Mr Shepherd punching Mr Henderson in the face. “They were strangers up until this moment. “The force of Mr Shepherd’s punch caused Mr Henderson to fall straight backwards without putting his hands out to break his fall.” The court heard that Mr Henderson’s head impacted with the pavement, the combination of the punch and the impact caused his death eight days later due to the damage caused to his brain.
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