This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/london/7975921.stm
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Queue-jumping death pair jailed | Queue-jumping death pair jailed |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| A man and a woman have been jailed over the death of an innocent shopper in a queue-jumping row in south London. | A man and a woman have been jailed over the death of an innocent shopper in a queue-jumping row in south London. |
| Antonette Richardson was jailed for 18 months and Tony Virasami was sentenced to four years for manslaughter. | Antonette Richardson was jailed for 18 months and Tony Virasami was sentenced to four years for manslaughter. |
| Southwark Crown Court heard Richardson called ex-boyfriend Virasami to the Sainsbury's store in Merton where he mistakenly punched Kevin Tripp. | Southwark Crown Court heard Richardson called ex-boyfriend Virasami to the Sainsbury's store in Merton where he mistakenly punched Kevin Tripp. |
| Judge Geoffrey Rivlin QC said the sentences reflected the "shock and concern felt by the public at large". | Judge Geoffrey Rivlin QC said the sentences reflected the "shock and concern felt by the public at large". |
| But outside court Mr Tripp's partner Josie James said: "It's not long enough. They took Kevin's life." | |
| Father-of-one Mr Tripp, 57, from Colliers Wood, south-west London, died when the "almighty blow" caused him to fall and fracture his skull, causing bleeding on the brain. | Father-of-one Mr Tripp, 57, from Colliers Wood, south-west London, died when the "almighty blow" caused him to fall and fracture his skull, causing bleeding on the brain. |
| It was unquestionably a very hard slap, delivered with a full swing and considerable force by an obviously physically fit and strong man Judge Geoffrey Rivlin QC | It was unquestionably a very hard slap, delivered with a full swing and considerable force by an obviously physically fit and strong man Judge Geoffrey Rivlin QC |
| Virasami pleaded guilty to manslaughter but Richardson had denied the charge. Both are from Sedgehill Road, Catford, south-east London. | Virasami pleaded guilty to manslaughter but Richardson had denied the charge. Both are from Sedgehill Road, Catford, south-east London. |
| Sentencing Virasami, Judge Geoffrey Rivlin QC said he had taken such a "powerful swing" at Mr Tripp's head that he "struck the floor with a noise that could be heard some distance away". | |
| "As a slap, it was unquestionably a very hard slap, delivered with a full swing and considerable force by an obviously physically fit and strong man." | "As a slap, it was unquestionably a very hard slap, delivered with a full swing and considerable force by an obviously physically fit and strong man." |
| To Richardson the judge said: "You started this whole episode with your call to Mr Virasami. | To Richardson the judge said: "You started this whole episode with your call to Mr Virasami. |
| "I am satisfied that you were quite prepared for the fact that some violence was to be done, and you actively encouraged it." | "I am satisfied that you were quite prepared for the fact that some violence was to be done, and you actively encouraged it." |
| 'Revulsion and concern' | 'Revulsion and concern' |
| Judge Rivlin added: "It is, I believe, right, despite your [Virasami's] plea of guilty and your remorse, to reflect the revulsion and concern felt by Mr Tripp's nearest and dearest, who are condemned to suffer for this long after this case is over, and also to reflect the shock and concern felt by the public at large." | |
| Kevin Tripp suffered brain injury when he was knocked down | Kevin Tripp suffered brain injury when he was knocked down |
| The jury heard Richardson had been accused of pushing in front of shopper Adam Prendergast, as she went to buy a packet of cigarettes. | The jury heard Richardson had been accused of pushing in front of shopper Adam Prendergast, as she went to buy a packet of cigarettes. |
| She phoned Virasami, who was waiting in a car nearby, and when he came into the store she pointed out Mr Prendergast. | |
| However, Virasami mistook Mr Tripp for the man and hit him. The CCTV footage of the unprovoked attack was shown in court. | However, Virasami mistook Mr Tripp for the man and hit him. The CCTV footage of the unprovoked attack was shown in court. |
| Richardson had "egged on" Virasmi to take revenge and after Mr Tripp was hit, witnesses heard her telling Virasami, "We need to find the right guy." | Richardson had "egged on" Virasmi to take revenge and after Mr Tripp was hit, witnesses heard her telling Virasami, "We need to find the right guy." |
| At the time of the attack Virasami was on bail, tagged and under curfew for shoplifting, while Richardson had previous convictions for deception and handling stolen goods, the court heard. | At the time of the attack Virasami was on bail, tagged and under curfew for shoplifting, while Richardson had previous convictions for deception and handling stolen goods, the court heard. |
| The time spent by the pair in remand will be deducted from the sentence. | The time spent by the pair in remand will be deducted from the sentence. |
| Outside court Ms James said: "The judge was pretty fair, but his hands were tied." | |
| She added: "I resigned myself to the fact they were going to get less but, in my heart of hearts, I wanted them to get life." | |
| Gillian Tripp, one of Mr Tripp's sisters, said: "We are really disappointed with the result, really disappointed." |