Grays: Man Sentenced For Manslaughter

29 November 2013, 17:20 | Updated: 29 November 2013, 17:35

A man from Grays has been given an extended sentence for manslaughter after a judge ruled he was a danger to the public.

A man from Grays has been given an extended sentence for manslaughter after a judge ruled he was a danger to the public.

24-year-old Owen Wood from Godman Road has been sentenced to nine years, with two years on licence.

He attacked Liam Holden in Grays on 10th March, kicking and punching him while he on the floor. Liam died as the result of a brain injury.

The Judge, His Hon Judge Gratwicke, said that his sentence reflected the fact that Owen Wood had a previous conviction for violence and that he posed a serious risk to members of the public

Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Chief Inspector Lucy Robinson from the Kent & Essex Serious Crime Directorate said:

"Owen Wood had been to a boxing match and was clearly pumped up and looking for a fight. Liam Holden was assaulted with such ferocity that he suffered a devastating and traumatic brain injury which resulted in his death.

"This assault has taken a loving man away from his family and I would like to express my condolences to the family of Liam Holden who have lost a loving partner, son, brother and father.”

At the time of his conviction the family issued the following statement:

"Liam's death has caused a huge hole in our family which will never be able to be filled. He was a good decent family man whose life has been torn from us in the most horrific circumstances. No child should have to grow up without their father, no mother should have to bury their son and no mother should have to raise a child on her own.

"We as a family now have to deal with these consequences. The punishment will never be suitable for taking a life. We would like to thank Essex Police, the Crown Prosecution Service and everyone involved in the case for all their hard work and help in securing the conviction of Owen Wood. We would also like to thank all our family and friends and anyone who helped support us throughout the months since this terrible tragedy happened. Hopefully now we can all try to move on with our lives.

"We will do our best to help Liam's son remember all the happy times he shared with his Dad."