Paul Ince, 31, denies killing John Ithell with a single, ‘devastating’ punch
David Powell Court reporter
16:06, 07 Oct 2025
Paul Ince, 31, of Cefn Road, Abenbury, Wrexham, arrives at Mold Crown Court for the second day of his trial for the manslaughter of John Ithell, 59, in Wrexham, which he denies.(Image: David Powell)
A man ended up with “devastating” head injuries and died after being hit in a “moment of mindless violence”, a court heard. John Ithell was allegedly struck by Paul Ince. He is said to have fallen backwards into a fence and died about four hours later.
The incident is alleged to have taken place in Wrexham on June 12, 2023, and Ince 31, denies the manslaughter of Mr Ithell, 59. Mr Ithell and a friend had visited a flat in Pont Wen in Pentre Gwyn, the jury at Mold Crown Court heard today, October 7
They had wanted to purchase drugs but a man called Carl Brown told them it was the wrong flat. At that point prosecutor Mark Connor claimed Ince ran outside the flat and punched Mr Ithell in the face.
Rebecca Baldini, a friend of Mr Ithell, later told police she had heard a “clack” sound. Mr Ithell “flew” four or five feet and hit a wooden fence, she said. For the biggest stories in Wales first, sign up to our daily newsletter here
Later she added: “I can still hear the clack in my head. People say you can close your eyes to see it. I can see it with my eyes open.”
Carl Brown then said to Ince: “I think you’ve knocked him out”, the court heard
Mr Ithell, nicknamed Bronco, walked away, according to the prosecution, and later reached Whitegate Industrial Estate.
The security guard there, Mike Jones, described a banging on the door of the gatehouse. He shouted for assistance after looking through a window at the top of the door.
“Mr Jones saw what he thought was dried blood from (Mr Ithell’s) hairline down the left side of his face. He was concerned he might be intoxicated and called 999,” said prosecutor Mr Connor.
At 2.20am on June 12, two police cars arrived, but Mr Ithell said he did not want medical help and that he’d rather return home. at 2.26am, officers took him to near Premier Stores in Tan y Coed on the Pentre Gwyn estate at 2.26am.
Mr Ithell was then near Pentre Gwyn community centre at 2.30am but CCTV footage suggested he seemed “confused and disorientated”.
Cyclist David Jones was on Redwither Lane the next morning when he said he saw a body “sticking out of a bush”, with the legs facing the road. He thought he heard snoring sounds.
He rang 999 after leaving the scene. Joshua Cookson was also cycling when he saw Mr Ithell lying on his back and “breathing heavily”. He also rang 999 after seeing injuries.
At 6.34am, paramedics arrived and took him to Wrexham Maelor Hospital. But Mr Ithell died there at 11.05am after his condition deteriorated.
Home Office consultant pathologist, Dr Brian Rogers, carried out a post mortem and found the facial injury was consistent with a forceful punch and the fractured skull to the back of the head was consistent with someone falling back onto an “unyielding” surface, like the ground.
Carl Brown – from the flat in Pont Wen – was initially arrested over the death, said Mr Connor.
The court heard he messaged Paul Ince to say: “I f****** love you always, but bro you can’t let me take the wrap for this.” He said he “couldn’t do a stretch for something I haven’t done”.
Carl Brown’s partner Laura Brown then told Ince in another message: “You are the one who hit the lad.”
The prosecutor also claimed that Ince later saved screenshots of internet searches for “how long you get for manslaughter” and “how long do get bail (for) on a murder investigation”.
Mr Connor said Ince also saved news articles about the incident.
“It is therefore, ladies and gentlemen, the prosecution’s case that the assault by the defendant was the cause of Mr Ithell’s injuries which led to his death,” said Mr Connor.
There was “no lawful justification for the punch”, he claimed, adding: “There was no suggestion that the defendant was required to lawfully defend himself or indeed defend anyone else.
“It was a moment of mindless violence that he may have shortly thereafter have come to regret in realising what he had done. But, rather than call for any medical assistance, he left the scene.”
Rebecca Baldini died on December 10, last year, in circumstances unrelated to this manslaughter case, the court heard.
Ince, of Cefn Road, Abenbury, Wrexham, insists he only “pushed” Mr Ithell and denies manslaughter.
The trial continues.
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