Co Derry bodybuilder jailed for causing death of man he tried to rescue from river

A Co Derry man, who risked his own life trying to save a drowning man he had earlier assaulted, has been jailed for a total of nine months for causing his unlawful death.

Bodybuilder Joseph Casey (26), of Claragh Hill Grange, Kilrea, admitted the manslaughter of  Owen McKeown (21) at Antrim Crown Court (above).

The 21-year-old, from Ballymena, drowned after jumping into the River Bann on May 5 2012 in attempt to escape Casey who had earlier assaulted him.

An earlier court hearing was told Casey had stripped off and jumped into the river in an attempt to rescue Mr McKeown, and while it was accepted he did not intend his death, by his unlawful act of striking Mr McKeown, and his guilty plea to manslaughter, he accepted responsibility for his death.

Casey will serve half of his sentence in prison, with the remainder on licence.

As a result, he is due for release next month.