Two admit killing dad in early morning attack

Apr 9 2008 by Sam Wood, The Journal

TWO men are facing jail after admitting killing a Northumberland father in an early morning street attack.

Mark Simpson and Graham Patton pleaded guilty yesterday to the manslaughter of Shaun Hardy, who died in Berwick Infirmary after being assaulted in the town’s Golden Square area following a fight.

At a hearing at Newcastle Crown Court, Simpson, 30, of St Mary’s and Patton, 25, of Bridge Street, both Berwick, were each remanded in custody. Sentencing was adjourned until May 1 for the preparation of probation reports.

Mr Hardy, 36, of Highcliffe in Spittal, Berwick, was attacked as he stood talking to a group of youths in a car after leaving the Cashmere nightclub. The attack happened between 1.30 and 2am on Friday, January 18.

Mr Hardy, who is thought to have worked at Magdalene Fields Golf Club near Berwick, was attacked by the two men. He fell to the ground and the men then fled.

A post-mortem examination rev- ealed he died from a fractured skull and also had fractures to bones in his neck and a cut above his right eye.

The incident was caught on CCTV cameras and the footage will be shown at the next hearing.

Following the death of Mr Hardy, feelings were said to be running high in the community and Simpson and Patton were both remanded in custody, partly for their own protection.

Several members of Mr Hardy’s family were in court yesterday to hear the pleas.

Judge David Hodson sitting at Newcastle Crown Court told Simpson and Patton: “You must appreciate because of the nature of this case you are both looking at substantial terms of custody.” In a statement issued after his death, Mr Hardy’s family spoke of their grief and struggle to come to term with his death.

The family said: “We are struggling to come to terms with the tragic loss of Shaun. He will leave a void in the lives of those who knew him. We ask only that we are left to grieve our tragic loss.

“Shaun was first and foremost a loving father, a devoted son and a wonderful brother.

“He was devoted to his daughter Blythe. Shaun will be sadly missed by his mother Doreen, father Colin, sister Teresa, brother-in-law Graeme and his nieces Sheraine and Mackenzie and nephew Carl.”