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| Anger at gang killer punishment | Anger at gang killer punishment |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| The family of a man killed when he intervened with gangs fighting in his street, have reacted angrily at the sentence given to his teenage killer. | The family of a man killed when he intervened with gangs fighting in his street, have reacted angrily at the sentence given to his teenage killer. |
| Robert Chambers, 17, got two-and-a-half years' detention for killing Paul Barnes in Tremorfa, Cardiff in July. | Robert Chambers, 17, got two-and-a-half years' detention for killing Paul Barnes in Tremorfa, Cardiff in July. |
| He had written to the authorities, complaining that youths were making life in the area a "complete misery". | He had written to the authorities, complaining that youths were making life in the area a "complete misery". |
| "I'm very bitter and angry at the sentence. It's not adequate," said his ex-partner Zoe Osalinski. | "I'm very bitter and angry at the sentence. It's not adequate," said his ex-partner Zoe Osalinski. |
| "It is totally wrong," she added. "He should have a sentence which gives him enough time to consider what he's done is wrong and how he has affected everybody else's lives. | "It is totally wrong," she added. "He should have a sentence which gives him enough time to consider what he's done is wrong and how he has affected everybody else's lives. |
| June Johnson , chair of Bayside Tenants and Residents Association in neighbouring Splott, said that anger was shared throughout the community. | June Johnson , chair of Bayside Tenants and Residents Association in neighbouring Splott, said that anger was shared throughout the community. |
| Paul Barnes died protecting that community. He took a stand against the youth culture of anti-social behaviour and unfortunately paid the ultimate price Community leader June Johnson | Paul Barnes died protecting that community. He took a stand against the youth culture of anti-social behaviour and unfortunately paid the ultimate price Community leader June Johnson |
| "Having gone through this ourselves at Bayside, it's almost a tragedy waiting to happen," she said, referring to action in the Splott area where dispersal orders have been introduced. | "Having gone through this ourselves at Bayside, it's almost a tragedy waiting to happen," she said, referring to action in the Splott area where dispersal orders have been introduced. |
| "Anti-social behaviour is rife and has been rife in this area for a very long time," she added. | "Anti-social behaviour is rife and has been rife in this area for a very long time," she added. |
| "Paul Barnes died protecting that community. He took a stand against the youth culture of anti-social behaviour and unfortunately paid the ultimate price." | "Paul Barnes died protecting that community. He took a stand against the youth culture of anti-social behaviour and unfortunately paid the ultimate price." |
| When asked how she felt Chambers' punishment, she said: "I can't for the life of me and other people who have phoned me, understand this type of leniency. | When asked how she felt Chambers' punishment, she said: "I can't for the life of me and other people who have phoned me, understand this type of leniency. |
| "I totally hope that Paul has not died in vain and I certainly hope that other people and communities start to look at the new respect agenda. | "I totally hope that Paul has not died in vain and I certainly hope that other people and communities start to look at the new respect agenda. |
| Kieran was described as an inspiration to his family | Kieran was described as an inspiration to his family |
| "People must use the tools that are out there. If that means asking for a section 30 dispersal order when the problems are very bad as they were in Tremorfa, then they must be used." | "People must use the tools that are out there. If that means asking for a section 30 dispersal order when the problems are very bad as they were in Tremorfa, then they must be used." |
| Cardiff Crown Court heard on Tuesday how Mr Barnes' son Kieran kept a 12-day vigil at his hospital bedside. | Cardiff Crown Court heard on Tuesday how Mr Barnes' son Kieran kept a 12-day vigil at his hospital bedside. |
| He pleaded with doctors to be allowed "one last cuddle" with his father before his life support machine was switched off. | He pleaded with doctors to be allowed "one last cuddle" with his father before his life support machine was switched off. |
| Chambers from Leckwith, knocked Mr Barnes out with a single punch after he confronted youths after his car window was smashed. | Chambers from Leckwith, knocked Mr Barnes out with a single punch after he confronted youths after his car window was smashed. |
| Mr Barnes, who ran an aquarium business, got a 14-year-old he believed responsible, in a headlock when he was attacked. | Mr Barnes, who ran an aquarium business, got a 14-year-old he believed responsible, in a headlock when he was attacked. |
| Prosecuting, Martin Kelly said: "Police had received a number of calls saying groups of up to 20 were fighting in the streets. | Prosecuting, Martin Kelly said: "Police had received a number of calls saying groups of up to 20 were fighting in the streets. |
| This is by far the worst area I have ever lived in. These people, kids make living in this are a complete misery. I love my house, I hate living here Paul Barnes email to councillor | This is by far the worst area I have ever lived in. These people, kids make living in this are a complete misery. I love my house, I hate living here Paul Barnes email to councillor |
| "Rival gangs were throwing stones at cars. The 14-year-old was with a group of 30 other youths." | "Rival gangs were throwing stones at cars. The 14-year-old was with a group of 30 other youths." |
| A nearby CCTV camera picked up the attack with a young voice shouting "fight him Rob". | A nearby CCTV camera picked up the attack with a young voice shouting "fight him Rob". |
| Witnesses described how 6ft tall Chambers then punched 5ft 1ins tall Mr Barnes. He fell to the pavement, his head hitting with "a hollow noise" | Witnesses described how 6ft tall Chambers then punched 5ft 1ins tall Mr Barnes. He fell to the pavement, his head hitting with "a hollow noise" |
| The court heard Chambers shouted: "Get up and have some more. Get up you pussy. I knocked him clean out." | The court heard Chambers shouted: "Get up and have some more. Get up you pussy. I knocked him clean out." |
| Violence in the area had plagued Mr Barnes for sometime before his death. | Violence in the area had plagued Mr Barnes for sometime before his death. |
| Clarissa Holland, Labour councillor for Splott and Tremorda, said he emailed her last February about anti-social behaviour and she contacted the police. Flowers laid in tribute outside Mr Barnes' house | Clarissa Holland, Labour councillor for Splott and Tremorda, said he emailed her last February about anti-social behaviour and she contacted the police. Flowers laid in tribute outside Mr Barnes' house |
| He wrote: "This is by far the worst area I have ever lived in. I have lived all around Cardiff from Cyncoed to Ely.These people, kids make others all their lives are a complete misery. This area has a real, real bad problem. I love my house, I hate living here." | |
| A family statement read out to the court described Mr Barnes as an "an inspiration" to his family. | A family statement read out to the court described Mr Barnes as an "an inspiration" to his family. |
| "We are a Christian family and we were all praying for his survival," the statement said. | "We are a Christian family and we were all praying for his survival," the statement said. |
| Sentencing Chambers for "gratuitous violence", Judge John Griffith Williams said: "Your victim was a thoroughly decent man. Above all he was a devoted father to his son. | Sentencing Chambers for "gratuitous violence", Judge John Griffith Williams said: "Your victim was a thoroughly decent man. Above all he was a devoted father to his son. |
| "You could have left the scene. But you delivered a forceful blow to a man who was no threat to you at all." | "You could have left the scene. But you delivered a forceful blow to a man who was no threat to you at all." |
| Mr Barnes' brother, Des, said formal complaints about these groups making life in Tremorfa intolerable had "made no difference". | Mr Barnes' brother, Des, said formal complaints about these groups making life in Tremorfa intolerable had "made no difference". |