Cyclist Jailed Over Greengrocer Death

The man responsible for the death of much-loved Hove greengrocer Tony Magdi has been jailed for 18 months.

Paul Lambeth, 35, of Stafford Road, Brighton, appeared at Hove Crown Court today (Friday 3 June) after pleading guilty to the manslaughter of Tony Magdi at an earlier hearing on Wednesday 4 May.

Tony, 52, from Portland Road, Hove, died after receiving a single punch from Lambeth to the face. Tony was assaulted after opening his car door, causing three cyclists, one of which being Lambeth, to take avoiding action. Tony sustained a serious head injury and sadly died at Hurstwood Park Neurological Centre, Haywards Heath, on 28 November 2010.

Detective Constable Leon Ryan said:

"My heartfelt sympathy goes to the friends and family of Tony, who continue to miss him dearly. He was an exceptional, much-loved local character and his death has been mourned by the whole community. It is tragic for a life to end so unnecessarily as the result of a single punch.

"Sussex Police accepts today's sentencing and we would like to offer our our sincere thanks to the many members of the public who assisted in this investigation."