Gambler admits attacking Durham bookmaker
Jan 5 2009 By Graeme Whitfield
A gambler today admitted attacking a bookmaker who refused to accept a late bet on a greyhound race.
Jeffrey Hilland, 52, suffered a heart attack during the attack, and died in hospital four days later, Newcastle Crown Court heard.
Trevor Hall, 37, of Hilda Terrace, Chester-le-Street, County Durham, admitted to one count of affray at Newcastle Crown Court, for attacking Mr Hilland in the Pagebet bookmakers in Pelton, County Durham, in June last year.
The court heard Hall, who had been drinking heavily, grew angry with Mr Hilland, of South Moor, Stanley, County Durham, when he refused to accept his bet on the 20:43 greyhound race at Romford on June 6 last year.
Realising he had lost out, Hall ``threw the first of many punches" at Mr Hilland when the race had finished, Christopher Knox, prosecuting, said.
``The defendant was very put out because the deceased declined to accept a bet," he said.
``As a result of declining to accept that bet, the defendant felt he missed the opportunity of winning about £60. There was then an altercation and a dispute."
Hall was cleared of an earlier charge of manslaughter because prosecutors were unable to prove Mr Hilland’s heart attack had not already started when Hall threw his first punch.
Speaking outside court, Chris Enzor, the Chief Crown Prosecutor for Durham, said it would be ``impossible to prove in court exactly what triggered Mr Hilland’s heart failure".
``For us to continue with the manslaughter prosecution we would have to be sure beyond reasonable doubt that it was the physical assault rather than the earlier argument between Hall and Mr Hilland that caused the heart failure.
``This has been understandably a very difficult time for Mr Hilland’s family and our thoughts are with them."
Sentencing was adjourned until February 2 in order for a pre-sentence report to be prepared.
The Recorder of Newcastle, Judge David Hodson, warned Hall that despite being granted conditional bail, ``all sentencing options, including custody" would be open to him.
