Charlwood man jailed for three and a half years for manslaughter

A CLUBBER convicted of killing a Romanian businessman was today sentenced to three and a half years in prison.

James Redmile-Gordon, 30, of Russ Hill, Charlwood, hit Ovidiu Pop with a fire extinguisher after an early morning scuffle in Brighton last summer.

The force of the blow caused Mr Pop to fall to the ground, fracturing his skull. The 29-year-old father-of-two never regained consciousness.

In mitigation Charles Miskin QC told Lewes Crown Court: "He never denied he was the person responsible for killing this man.

"The jury accepted, broadly speaking, his version of events.

"He did not arm himself intentionally and did not intend to hit him on the head. This was an unpremeditated blow, an unfortunate blow, struck with an instrument that had not been picked up for the purpose of assault."

Judge Richard Brown said: "I've listened to what your counsel has said, I'm satisfied you have shown remorse.

"The fact remains that in a moment I can only describe as supreme madness, you ran across the road with a fire extinguisher and attacked Mr Pop.

"I have no doubt you were fuelled with alcohol and cocaine – the fact remains that not only have you taken the life of Mr Pop, but you have devastated the lives of his family.

"No sentence I can pass upon you can ever reflect this loss, only a custodial sentence can be justified."

As the judge passed sentence his parents embraced each other in tears.