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Anger at gang killer punishment | Anger at gang killer punishment |
(20 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 about 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. | |
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. 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 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 Tremorfa, 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." | 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. |
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, Dan, said formal complaints about these groups making life in Tremorfa intolerable had "made no difference". |