A teenager wept as he appeared in court today accused of killing a 40-year-old woman with ‘one punch’ in an altercation outside a pub.
Building site labourer Liam Moor, 19, is said to have punched Lisa Denton once to the face and fled the scene before she was taken to hospital in a critical condition on Saturday night.
Ms Denton, of North Shields, North Tyneside, suffered a serious head injury and died the following morning.
Moor handed himself in to police later that same day.
He was initially arrested on suspicion of murder and on Monday was charged with manslaughter.
At South East Northumberland Magistrates’ Court, Moor was emotional as the charge was read to him that he ‘unlawfully killed Lisa Denton contrary to common law.’
He was supported by friends and relatives in the courtroom.
His solicitor, who described the case as a ‘tragic incident, however it is regarded’, indicated Moor will say he acted in self-defence. He was not asked to enter a plea to the charge.
Lisa Denton died following an altercation outside Charlie’s Bar in North Shields, North Tyneside
Liam Moor, 19, of Howdon, North Tyneside, was charged with manslaughter following the incident. He is due to appear at Newcastle Crown Court in February
The court heard the incident took place shortly after 10pm outside Charlie’s Bar in North Shields.
‘It is said the defendant assaulted the victim outside Charlie’s Bar public house by punching her once to the face,’ prosecutor Clare Haswell said.
‘Knowing what he has done he fled the scene without an attempt to provide first aid or call the emergency services.
‘He was aware police were looking for him and made contact the next day.’
Defending Moor, of Howdon, Mark Harrison said the teenager ‘in due course will argue his behaviour was in reasonable, lawful, self-defence and trouble came to him outside Charlie’s Bar when he was enjoying an ordinary night out with friends.’
Mr Harrison said the altercation was captured on CCTV cameras.
He added: ‘I’m anxious I don’t present anything that appears besmirching of the deceased or members of her family but… trouble comes to him and he would argue his response was reasonable in the circumstances as they prevailed at the time.’
Owing to the seriousness of the charge the case was sent to Newcastle Crown Court for a hearing next month.
Moor was granted conditional bail.
A woman in her 50s arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender has been released on bail.
Detective Chief Inspector, Mark Atherton, of Northumbria Police, said: ‘This is an incredibly tragic incident where a woman has sadly lost her life.
‘Our thoughts remain firmly with Lisa’s loved ones at this time. We will continue to support them as they try to navigate a life without Lisa.’
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Teenager accused of killing woman, 40, in ‘one punch attack’ outside pub weeps as he appears in court