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Two men admit banker manslaughter Brothers admit banker's killing
(about 1 hour later)
Two men have pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of a banker who died after an attack in Norwich.Two men have pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of a banker who died after an attack in Norwich.
Frank McGarahan, 45, of Hertfordshire, was an executive at Barclays Wealth and died in hospital the day after the attack on 28 September 2008.Frank McGarahan, 45, of Hertfordshire, was an executive at Barclays Wealth and died in hospital the day after the attack on 28 September 2008.
Brothers Tom and Ben Cowles, aged 21 and 20, of Beaumont Road, Costessey, near Norwich, appeared at the city's crown court.Brothers Tom and Ben Cowles, aged 21 and 20, of Beaumont Road, Costessey, near Norwich, appeared at the city's crown court.
Both also admitted affray, and Ben Cowles admitted a charge of assault.Both also admitted affray, and Ben Cowles admitted a charge of assault.
They had pleaded not guilty to murder at a previous hearing.They had pleaded not guilty to murder at a previous hearing.
Prosecutor Mark Dennis QC said Mr McGarahan, his cousin and brother, had witnessed an assault on another man in central Norwich at about 0300 BST. Down-and-out
'Unnecessary attack' Prosecutor Mark Dennis QC said Mr McGarahan, his brother Kevin and cousin Sean Ryan had witnessed an assault on another man in central Norwich at about 0300 BST.
Mr Dennis said they stepped in to help and were then attacked. Mr Dennis said they had intervened after witnessing a group of youths attacking a man of "down-and-out appearance".
He said Mr McGarahan was knocked to the floor after being punched in the head and put in a headlock. The court saw CCTV footage of the incident captured by a number of city centre cameras.
The father-of-two lapsed into a coma and did not recover. The footage showed the three men approach with "non-aggressive intent".
"Both young men took part in an unnecessary and joint attack on Frank McGarahan, his brother and cousin," said Mr Dennis. Mr Dennis said they were then met with abuse, with one of the group of youths trying to justify the attack on the "down-and-out" by saying: "You don't know what he has done. He has got what he deserved."
"In the circumstances we submit (they) bravely intervened when many others would have stepped back." Mr Dennis said Kevin McGarahan had then called the group of youths "cowards".
The judge, Mr Justice Saunders, told the court he thought the prosecution's decision to accept a guilty plea to manslaughter was "sensible and appropriate". Lying motionless
But he understood how the decision to accept the plea would have been difficult for prosecution lawyers and for Mr McGarahan's family. He said shortly afterwards Ben Cowles ran at Mr McGarahan and punched him in the head before attacking his brother.
Mr McGarahan's brother, Tony, was in court to hear the pleas entered and the evidence outlined. Tom Cowles also attacked both Frank and Kevin McGarahan.
Another man, Daniel Moy, was seen to emerge from the group of youths and punch Sean Ryan.
The CCTV footage showed Mr McGarahan being punched to the floor, held in a headlock and punched, rising to his feet and staggering before collapsing and lying motionless on his back.
It also showed Kevin McGarahan being punched to the floor.
Mr McGarahan's cousin, Sean Ryan, is also seen being punched.
Mr Dennis said the CCTV footage showed members of the group containing the brothers running away after the incident.
Sentencing will be on 26 June.