21-year-old Ryan Cooper is standing trial at Winchester Crown Court this week accused of killing Gary ‘Jeff’ Stacey in Newport during the early hours of Valentine’s Day last year.
As previously reported by Island Echo, 49-year-old Jeff Stacey died in Southampton General Hospital as a result of severe head injuries sustained in an assault on St James’ Street in the town.
The court today (Tuesday) was shown CCTV evidencing Cooper, a third-year law student, throwing 2 punches at Mr Stacey. Although the first punch missed, the second delivered a devastating blow.
Ryan Cooper, from Chatfield Lodge in Newport, denies the single charge of manslaughter. In Police interviews Mr Cooper said he acted in self defence and stated “he [Stacey] looked like he was going to hit me so I just jabbed him to get him away”.
Jurors have been told how Mr Cooper, who appeared in the court room in a smart suit, bragged about taking cocaine and alcohol. He had split from his girlfriend prior to the night out in Newport during which he was kicked out of Yates’ for being too drunk.
The prosecution have said there is ‘no dispute’ that Mr Cooper delivered the punch.
Prosecutor Andy Houston told the court:
“Gary Stacey was a 49 year old when he went out in Newport town centre. It was the night before he died in Southampton General Hospital, never regaining consciousness after he had been punched by this defendant.
“On that Saturday he had gone out into Newport and got drunk.
“He was around twice the drink drive limit and he was on his way home with food from a takeaway called Bite Size at around 4am in the morning. He had the misfortune to bump into this defendant in the street.
“He had something in his left hand when the defendant struck him with one or two punches. We say that the defendant threw two punches it is probable that one missed but the one that landed was a hard punch. It was severe enough to fracture his left eye socket and forced him to fall and hit the back of his head on the road surface, which caused a skull fracture and severe brain damage.”
“Fifteen minutes after Mr Stacey picked up his takeaway he was as good as dead.”
Mr Cooper appeared before Winchester Crown Court on 2nd September where he entered a not guilty plea. The trial, which is expected to last up to 3 weeks, was not due to start until 8th May but this was changed following an application by the defence.
The trial continues.
