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Anger at gang killer punishment Anger at gang killer punishment
(about 1 hour later)
The family of a man killed when he intervened with gangs fighting in his street, have reacted angrily at the sentence given to his teenage killer.The family of a man killed when he intervened with gangs fighting in his street, have reacted angrily at the sentence given to his teenage killer.
Robert Chambers, 17, got two-and-a-half years' detention for killing Paul Barnes in Tremorfa, Cardiff in July. Robert Chambers, 18, got two-and-a-half years' detention for killing Paul Barnes in Tremorfa, Cardiff in July.
He had written to the authorities, complaining that youths were making life in the area a "complete misery".He had written to the authorities, complaining that youths were making life in the area a "complete misery".
"I'm very bitter and angry at the sentence. It's not adequate," said his ex-partner Zoe Osalinski."I'm very bitter and angry at the sentence. It's not adequate," said his ex-partner Zoe Osalinski.
"It is totally wrong," she added. "He should have a sentence which gives him enough time to consider what he's done is wrong and how he has affected everybody else's lives."It is totally wrong," she added. "He should have a sentence which gives him enough time to consider what he's done is wrong and how he has affected everybody else's lives.
June Johnson , chair of Bayside Tenants and Residents Association in neighbouring Splott, said that anger was shared throughout the community.June Johnson , chair of Bayside Tenants and Residents Association in neighbouring Splott, said that anger was shared throughout the community.
Paul Barnes died protecting that community. He took a stand against the youth culture of anti-social behaviour and unfortunately paid the ultimate price Community leader June JohnsonPaul Barnes died protecting that community. He took a stand against the youth culture of anti-social behaviour and unfortunately paid the ultimate price Community leader June Johnson
"Having gone through this ourselves at Bayside, it's almost a tragedy waiting to happen," she said, referring to action in the Splott area where dispersal orders have been introduced."Having gone through this ourselves at Bayside, it's almost a tragedy waiting to happen," she said, referring to action in the Splott area where dispersal orders have been introduced.
"Anti-social behaviour is rife and has been rife in this area for a very long time," she added."Anti-social behaviour is rife and has been rife in this area for a very long time," she added.
"Paul Barnes died protecting that community. He took a stand against the youth culture of anti-social behaviour and unfortunately paid the ultimate price.""Paul Barnes died protecting that community. He took a stand against the youth culture of anti-social behaviour and unfortunately paid the ultimate price."
When asked how she felt about Chambers' punishment, she said: "I can't for the life of me and other people who have phoned me, understand this type of leniency.When asked how she felt about Chambers' punishment, she said: "I can't for the life of me and other people who have phoned me, understand this type of leniency.
"I totally hope that Paul has not died in vain and I certainly hope that other people and communities start to look at the new respect agenda."I totally hope that Paul has not died in vain and I certainly hope that other people and communities start to look at the new respect agenda.
Kieran was described as an inspiration to his familyKieran was described as an inspiration to his family
"People must use the tools that are out there. If that means asking for a section 30 dispersal order when the problems are very bad as they were in Tremorfa, then they must be used.""People must use the tools that are out there. If that means asking for a section 30 dispersal order when the problems are very bad as they were in Tremorfa, then they must be used."
Cardiff Crown Court heard on Tuesday how Mr Barnes' son Kieran kept a 12-day vigil at his hospital bedside.Cardiff Crown Court heard on Tuesday how Mr Barnes' son Kieran kept a 12-day vigil at his hospital bedside.
He pleaded with doctors to be allowed "one last cuddle" with his father before his life support machine was switched off.He pleaded with doctors to be allowed "one last cuddle" with his father before his life support machine was switched off.
Chambers, from Leckwith, knocked Mr Barnes out with a single punch after he confronted youths after his car window was smashed.Chambers, from Leckwith, knocked Mr Barnes out with a single punch after he confronted youths after his car window was smashed.
Mr Barnes, who ran an aquarium business, got a 14-year-old he believed responsible, in a headlock when he was attacked.Mr Barnes, who ran an aquarium business, got a 14-year-old he believed responsible, in a headlock when he was attacked.
Prosecuting, Martin Kelly said: "Police had received a number of calls saying groups of up to 20 were fighting in the streets.Prosecuting, Martin Kelly said: "Police had received a number of calls saying groups of up to 20 were fighting in the streets.
This is by far the worst area I have ever lived in. I have lived all around Cardiff from Cyncoed to Ely.These people, kids make others all their lives are a complete misery. This area has a real, real bad problem. I love my house, I hate living here Paul Barnes email to councillorThis is by far the worst area I have ever lived in. I have lived all around Cardiff from Cyncoed to Ely.These people, kids make others all their lives are a complete misery. This area has a real, real bad problem. I love my house, I hate living here Paul Barnes email to councillor
"Rival gangs were throwing stones at cars. The 14-year-old was with a group of 30 other youths.""Rival gangs were throwing stones at cars. The 14-year-old was with a group of 30 other youths."
A nearby CCTV camera picked up the attack with a young voice shouting "fight him Rob".A nearby CCTV camera picked up the attack with a young voice shouting "fight him Rob".
Witnesses described how 6ft tall Chambers then punched 5ft 1ins tall Mr Barnes. He fell to the pavement, his head hitting with "a hollow noise"Witnesses described how 6ft tall Chambers then punched 5ft 1ins tall Mr Barnes. He fell to the pavement, his head hitting with "a hollow noise"
The court heard Chambers shouted: "Get up and have some more. Get up you pussy. I knocked him clean out."The court heard Chambers shouted: "Get up and have some more. Get up you pussy. I knocked him clean out."
Violence in the area had plagued Mr Barnes for sometime before his death.Violence in the area had plagued Mr Barnes for sometime before his death.
Clarissa Holland, Labour councillor for Splott and Tremorfa, said he emailed her last February about anti-social behaviour and she contacted the police. Flowers laid in tribute outside Mr Barnes' houseClarissa Holland, Labour councillor for Splott and Tremorfa, said he emailed her last February about anti-social behaviour and she contacted the police. Flowers laid in tribute outside Mr Barnes' house
He wrote: "This is by far the worst area I have ever lived in. I have lived all around Cardiff from Cyncoed to Ely.These people, kids make others all their lives are a complete misery. This area has a real, real bad problem. I love my house, I hate living here."He wrote: "This is by far the worst area I have ever lived in. I have lived all around Cardiff from Cyncoed to Ely.These people, kids make others all their lives are a complete misery. This area has a real, real bad problem. I love my house, I hate living here."
A family statement read out to the court described Mr Barnes as an "an inspiration" to his family.A family statement read out to the court described Mr Barnes as an "an inspiration" to his family.
Sentencing Chambers for "gratuitous violence", Judge John Griffith Williams said: "Your victim was a thoroughly decent man. Above all he was a devoted father to his son.Sentencing Chambers for "gratuitous violence", Judge John Griffith Williams said: "Your victim was a thoroughly decent man. Above all he was a devoted father to his son.
"You could have left the scene. But you delivered a forceful blow to a man who was no threat to you at all.""You could have left the scene. But you delivered a forceful blow to a man who was no threat to you at all."
Mr Barnes' brother, Dan, said formal complaints about these groups making life in Tremorfa intolerable had "made no difference".Mr Barnes' brother, Dan, said formal complaints about these groups making life in Tremorfa intolerable had "made no difference".