Disturbing CCTV shows man, 28, land fatal punch on father-of-three, 49

Disturbing CCTV shows thug, 28, land a fatal punch on father-of-three, 49, after row outside bar – as he is jailed for five years and two months for manslaughter

• Joe Baldwin punched Charles Neeson twice in the head outside a Leicester bar
• Mr Neeson suffered a significant brain injury and skull fractures, dying days later
• The 28-year-old was jailed for five years, two months at Leicester Crown Court

A 28-year-old man has been jailed for five years and two months after he fatally punched a father-of-three outside a bar. 

Chilling CCTV shows the moment Joe Baldwin killed Charles Neeson, 49, by viciously punching him to the ground after the pair became involved in a disagreement outside Natterjacks on Braunstone Gate, Leicester, at around 10.27pm on August 27 last year.

Leicester Crown Court heard a ‘scuffle’ broke out between the pair after Mr Neeson was removed from the bar following an ‘altercation’. Bouncers encouraged him to leave the premises and surrounding area, but he returned and started arguing with another man sitting outside of the venue.

Baldwin jumped over a fence to intervene on this new dispute. Mr Neeson shrugged him off, which resulted in Baldwin throwing two punches in quick succession.

Disturbing footage shows Mr Neeson falling straight backwards which resulted in him hitting his head on the ground and suffering fatal injures.

Mr Neeson, who died two days after the attack, suffered a bleed on the brain and three skull fractures after his head smashed into either the curb or a wooden plant pot.

Baldwin, of no fixed address, was initially arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm but following Mr Neeson’s death he was charged with manslaughter.

Judge Timothy Spencer QC told the court that at least one of Baldwin’s punches was ‘fearsome enough’ to knock Mr Neeson out and cause the fall.

The 28-year-old fled the scene to a nearby hotel shortly after the attack on Mr Neeson, where he took cocaine and alcohol, before handing himself in.

Last week, he pleaded guilty to the charge and today he was jailed for five years and two months at Leicester Crown Court.

Detective Inspector Mark Parish, from East Midlands Special Operations Unit Murder Investigation Team, said afterwards: ‘There are absolutely no winners in this situation. What was initially believed to be a scuffle ended in such a devastating loss.

Leicester Crown Court heard a ‘scuffle’ broke out between Joe Baldwin, 28 (pictured), and, Charles Neeson, 49, which resulted in Baldwin throwing two punches outside Natterjacks bar in Leicester

‘In my experience as a senior officer I wouldn’t say this was a prolonged violent assault – CCTV captured the incident and supporting evidence confirmed that Mr Neeson was punched twice.

‘This resulted in him falling to the ground and hitting his head on the pavement – that impact then led to Mr Neeson suffering fatal injuries.

‘What this case demonstrates is how the punches led to Mr Neeson suffering such catastrophic injuries.

‘Baldwin now faces a significant term in prison and Mr Neeson’s family will have to live with his loss for the rest of their lives.’

Mr Neeson’s children said in a heartbreaking statement afterwards: ‘At a young age me and my siblings are having to face a life without our dad.

Disturbing footage shows Mr Neeson (pictured) falling straight backwards which resulted in him hitting his head on the ground and suffering fatal injures

‘Not because we are coming to terms with an illness or being able to prepare ourselves for it but because of the actions of one man that has single-handedly disrupted our lives forever.

‘Not only are we having to come to terms with the huge hole that has been left in our lives but we now have the responsibility that comes with that too.

‘We are all grieving, looking at family pictures and reminiscing but at the same time having to sort out legal paperwork, taking phone calls, filling out paperwork, sorting through possessions and dealing with finances.

‘At our ages no one should be planning their parent’s funeral. With every tear there is another responsibility to deal with a death, not of normal circumstances.

‘Our grief is having to be put on hold to endure the process that comes along with an investigation.

Mr Neeson, who died two days after the attack, suffered a bleed on the brain and three skull fractures after his head smashed into either the curb or a wooden plant pot (pictured, the CCTV footage on the night last year)

Baldwin was initially arrested on suspicion of grievous bodily harm but following Mr Neeson’s death he was charged with manslaughter. Pictured, Mr Neeson once he fell

‘The grief doesn’t go away no matter how much you try. It’s hard to say goodbye to anyone you love who is going away for a period of time whether it be a holiday or work but then they come back. With a death they are never coming back.

‘The actions of one man has changed the rest of our lives. We will never be able to make my dad a grandad, if any of us get married he will not be there at our wedding or to see us move into our first house.

‘All moments that parents are supposed to be there for, to cherish and reminisce into old age. Our dreams and his memories are overshadowed by the image of him lying in the hospital bed. 

‘Our dad was loved and cherished by many and he will be forever in our hearts.’

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