A Manchester dad is in court after knocking out a man who was drunk and exposing himself in the street in front of families and children.
Richard Gathercole, 39, landed a single punch that left the victim with a fractured skull and brain haemorrhage, with Judge Richard Woolfall stating that it was “a miracle it was not worse.”
Dad-of-three Gathercole challenged the man when he started exposing himself and then punched him with a single blow to the face. The victim fell backwards and fell unconscious.
An ambulance was called and took the victim to Hull Royal Infirmary for treatment to a skull fracture and a bleed on the brain. To his credit, Gathercole realised he had seriously hurt the man and stayed by his side until he was taken to hospital.
Tree surgeon Gathercole handed himself in to police the next day, and says he is deeply remorseful for what he did.
His defence barrister told the court: “He is a committed family man, trustworthy and reliable with a heart of gold.”
Gathercole pleaded guilty to assault, and was given an 18-month prison sentence suspended for two years. Which means he’ll avoid jail altogether if he behaves himself for the next two years (which includes not KO’ing any drunken men who expose themselves to kids in the street). He also has to attend 15 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days – no biggie.
Sentencing Gathercole, Judge Woolfall said: “People who do not know their own strength or catch someone the wrong way can end up killing people. That becomes one-punch-manslaughter. Mercifully there was a rapid recovery.”
So it sounds like the creep made a quick recovery, which is incredibly lucky as far as Gathercole is concerned.
After the hearing, Gathercole said: “I’m only human”.
Indeed. A lot of people might say what he did was completely reasonable, although he could have easily killed the guy and that wouldn’t be a good outcome for anyone involved. You can understand his anger and violent response, while also cautioning against vigilantism.
Would’ve been interesting to see what became of the man if Gathercole had called the police instead? Would he be out on the streets getting drunk and whipping his willy out again the next day? In fact, now that he’s made a full recovery, will there be further action against him for exposing himself to kids?
Perhaps being KO’d by an angry dad is more of a deterrent, as ill-advised as that might be. Still, it’s not worth the risk that you run for a murder/manslaughter/assault charge. Don’t do it.
To watch one of the funniest nonce stings ever recorded, click HERE.
