Football fan accused of killing man with one punch on pre-game night out

A football fan is accused of killing a man with one punch outside a convenience store in London the night before a match, a court heard.

Lewis MacLeod, 36, travelled to London from the North East on September 12 last year for a Premier League match between Sunderland and Crystal Palace.

In the early hours of September 13, the day of the match, MacLeod delivered “a forceful punch” to Michael Edwards, 43, outside a convenience store on Borough High Street.

Mr Edwards, who had been celebrating a friend’s birthday, was left with a “devastating and life-threatening brain injury”, Inner London Crown Court heard on Monday.

MacLeod, of Sunderland, was charged with the manslaughter of Mr Edwards, of Warwickshire, when he died in hospital four days later.

He sat quietly in the dock wearing a black suit, white shirt and black tie as his seven-day trial began on Monday.

Prosecuting, Philip Evans KC said: “In the early hours of September 13 last year, shortly before three in the morning, outside a convenience store on Borough High Street, the defendant Lewis MacLeod delivered a forceful punch to Michael Edwards.

“That punch caused Mr Edwards to fall backwards, his body immediately went limp, and he collapsed and hit his head on the pavement.

“Mr Edwards later died from the injuries caused by that blow.”

MacLeod travelled from Sunderland to stay with his friend David Jackson, and they started drinking at a pub near Kings Cross Station around 4pm.

Just after midnight, they took a taxi to near Mr Jackson’s home address in Elephant and Castle and continued drinking, the court heard.

The victim, Mr Edwards, and his friend James Roberts, were also drinking in the area celebrating Mr Roberts’ birthday.

“From analysis of all of the footage of the various pubs, it can be established that both the defendant and Mr Edwards had been drinking alcohol throughout the evening. There is also evidence that both men were using cocaine,” said Mr Evans.

By around 1.40am on September 13, both pairs were in Belushi’s bar on Borough High street, sitting on tables about five metres apart, the court heard.

“The two parties do not appear from the CCTV to interact at any point whilst inside Belushi’s,” said Mr Evans.

Jurors were shown CCTV footage of Mr Edwards and Mr Roberts vaping outside Belushi’s when Mr Jackson and MacLeod were asked to leave the bar.

Outside, the footage showed MacLeod trying to shake hands with Mr Edwards, and then trying repeatedly to touch his groin, which Mr Edwards batted away.

MacLeod and Mr Jackson then moved off, while Mr Edwards and Mr Roberts gestured after them, and went to speak to security.

A few minutes later, they followed MacLeod and Mr Jackson to a shop called The Food and Wine store further up the street, the court heard.

CCTV shown in court saw MacLeod, wearing white shorts and a zip-up hoodie, throwing a punch which connected with the right side of Mr Edwards head.

Mr Edwards could then be seen falling backwards onto the street and hitting his head, and there was blood on the pavement when he was moved, jurors heard.

Mr Evans said: “Immediately following the blow, a fight broke out between the defendant and Mr Roberts. They moved into the shop, knocking items over inside.

“They were pushed out of the store by staff who were working there and continued fighting on the street. Mr Jackson intervened and managed to break up the fight.”

MacLeod has previously admitted a charge of assault causing actual bodily harm against Mr Roberts, for punching him while he checked on Mr Edwards, who was lying motionless on the ground.

Mr Roberts has denied a charge of affray in relation to the incident and is awaiting trial.

The match between Sunderland and Crystal Palace kicked off at 3pm on September 13 at Selhurst Park, ending in a 0-0 draw.

The trial continues.