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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. |
Down-and-out | |
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 had intervened after witnessing a group of youths attacking a man of "down-and-out appearance". | |
The court saw CCTV footage of the incident captured by a number of city centre cameras. | |
The footage showed the three men approach with "non-aggressive intent". | |
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." | |
Mr Dennis said Kevin McGarahan had then called the group of youths "cowards". | |
Lying motionless | |
He said shortly afterwards Ben Cowles ran at Mr McGarahan and punched him in the head before attacking his brother. | |
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. |