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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Playing field killer 'a coward' | Playing field killer 'a coward' |
| (about 21 hours later) | |
| A killer responsible for the death of a 16-year-old on playing fields in Kent has been branded a coward by a judge. | A killer responsible for the death of a 16-year-old on playing fields in Kent has been branded a coward by a judge. |
| Lee Cowie, 19, of Beechwood Avenue, Sittingbourne, was sentenced to four years at a young offenders' institute. | Lee Cowie, 19, of Beechwood Avenue, Sittingbourne, was sentenced to four years at a young offenders' institute. |
| He had admitted the manslaughter of Michael Chapman, of Bobbing, who died after Cowie ambushed him from behind as he walked home in June last year. | He had admitted the manslaughter of Michael Chapman, of Bobbing, who died after Cowie ambushed him from behind as he walked home in June last year. |
| At Maidstone Crown Court, Judge Andrew Patience said he was not "man enough" to challenge Michael to a "fair fight". | At Maidstone Crown Court, Judge Andrew Patience said he was not "man enough" to challenge Michael to a "fair fight". |
| He told Cowie: "Not only did you punch him but you kicked him. | He told Cowie: "Not only did you punch him but you kicked him. |
| Cowie just thinks this is a joke Lloyd Chapman, Michael's father | Cowie just thinks this is a joke Lloyd Chapman, Michael's father |
| "And in the true fashion of a coward you ran away, not stopping to see if he was hurt or to help him if he was." | "And in the true fashion of a coward you ran away, not stopping to see if he was hurt or to help him if he was." |
| Cowie and a 16-year-old boy, who cannot be named, were cleared of Michael's murder in April. | Cowie and a 16-year-old boy, who cannot be named, were cleared of Michael's murder in April. |
| He was told by the judge that his sentence would take into account the 343 days he had already spent in custody. | He was told by the judge that his sentence would take into account the 343 days he had already spent in custody. |
| The court heard from Cowie's defence lawyer who said he and Michael had once been friends, and that Cowie was fully aware of the impact his unlawful actions had had on all involved. | The court heard from Cowie's defence lawyer who said he and Michael had once been friends, and that Cowie was fully aware of the impact his unlawful actions had had on all involved. |
| Speaking after the sentencing, Michael's father, Lloyd Chapman, 50, said he had been told it was likely Cowie would be free in a year. | Speaking after the sentencing, Michael's father, Lloyd Chapman, 50, said he had been told it was likely Cowie would be free in a year. |
| He said: "That is absolutely disgusting. That is what Michael's life is worth, just over one year, two years in total. | He said: "That is absolutely disgusting. That is what Michael's life is worth, just over one year, two years in total. |
| "When he (Cowie) walked out he was just laughing. Cowie just thinks this is a joke." | "When he (Cowie) walked out he was just laughing. Cowie just thinks this is a joke." |
| Mr Chapman said it was his son's immense popularity that had killed him and described the time after his death as a "living nightmare". | Mr Chapman said it was his son's immense popularity that had killed him and described the time after his death as a "living nightmare". |
| The Chapman family are planning a walk on the anniversary of Michael's death to raise awareness of their bid to get a path in Bobbing dedicated as Michael's Path. | The Chapman family are planning a walk on the anniversary of Michael's death to raise awareness of their bid to get a path in Bobbing dedicated as Michael's Path. |