Man sentenced to six years for fatal pub garden assault

A man who carried out a fatal assault on a beloved grandfather in a pub’s outdoor area has been incarcerated for six years. Carl James, 42, passed away in hospital three days after being headbutted and punched by Curtis Tudor outside the Jack and Jill Pub in Middlesbrough in May, as heard by Teesside Crown Court. Judge Francis Laird KC stated that the “extremely violent” attack was initiated “without warning or provocation,” causing Mr. James to fall and strike his head on a table. Tudor, 26, from Welburn Grove in Ormesby, admitted to manslaughter. The court was informed that the men had engaged in an argument or “chew” earlier on May 11, which escalated into violence when Mr. James sat on a bench next to Tudor shortly before 18:00 BST that day. Tudor was reportedly heard instructing Mr. James to leave moments before he subsequently attacked him, the court heard. After headbutting and punching him, Tudor attempted to deliver further blows but was restrained by other individuals in the pub garden, which was populated by families, including young children, the court was told. Mr. James, a father of five and grandfather of two, suffered catastrophic bleeding in his brain and died on May 14, according to court proceedings. Judge Laird commended the “bravery and fortitude” of the victim’s family, who “spoke in “glowing terms of a well-liked generous man”.” “Generous not only with is money but with his time and his affection,” Judge Laird remarked, adding: “His death has understandably had a profound effect on them and has created a sad and terrible void.” “He was indeed a much-loved and loving son, brother, partner, dad and granddad.” The judge noted that no sentence could reflect the “value or worth of his life,” which had been “cruelly snatched away from him.” Judge Laird stated that Tudor intended to cause Mr. James a “significant injury,” but he could not conclude that the attack carried an obvious “high risk of death or grievous bodily harm.” The court heard that Tudor had a history of violence, having assaulted two other men in March. However, Judge Laird said he accepted that Tudor had expressed “genuine remorse” for Mr. James’ death and that there was a “realistic prospect of rehabilitation.”