David Hickman gym death: Man jailed for manslaughter

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-21192647

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A man has been jailed for six and a half years after a Birmingham gym owner fell two storeys from a walkway to his death during a fight.

Thomas Powell, 49, of Rochester Road, Northfield, was cleared at Birmingham Crown Court of murdering David Hickman, 38, but was convicted of manslaughter.

Mundeep Sahota, 22, of Kemberton Road, Weoley Castle, was jailed for 15 months after being found guilty of affray.

In a statement, Mr Hickman's family said "every day with him was a gift".

Powell and Sahota had visited Mr Hickman's gym, Dark Arts in Northfield, on 9 July 2012 to settle a dispute with him.

A fight between Powell and Mr Hickman broke out on the stairway at the rear of the gym and both men fell over the railings, about 10ft to the floor.

Mr Hickman broke his neck in the fall and was kicked by Sahota whilst lying paralysed on the ground.

'Passion for success'

He suffered extremely serious injuries and died 12 days later.

Powell also received injuries, including three broken ribs and was arrested at the Queen Elizabeth hospital after going there for treatment.

Sgt Harry May said: "My thoughts go out to David's family, who have lost a son, brother and father to this senseless killing.

"I hope they can take some comfort that justice has been done today and start to rebuild their lives."

Mr Hickman's family released a statement, which said: "David lived his life with a passion for success and for his family.

"Nothing will ever fill the loss and emptiness we all feel from him being taken from us too soon, but now we can move on and remember how he lived and not how he was tragically taken from us.

"His love and his smile will always be in our hearts forever."