A man from Croydon has been sent to prison for killing a father with a single slap after an argument about queue-jumping in a south London supermarket.
Chilling CCTV captures return to scene
Demiesh Williams, 30, of Fir Tree Gardens in Addington, was sentenced to five years and three months in prison at Woolwich Crown Court on Thursday, December 18. He had pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of 43-year-old Andrew Clark. The court viewed chilling CCTV footage showing Williams calmly walking back into the Sainsbury's Local on Upper Elmers End Road in Beckenham to confront his victim.
The fatal incident occurred on the evening of March 16. Mr Clark, a lifelong Newcastle United fan, had just watched his team's Carabao Cup victory at home with his family before popping to the supermarket with his wife. An argument broke out at the tills after Williams attempted to jump the queue.
A family's life destroyed
The court heard that Williams initially left the store but then returned, putting on a face covering as he strode with intent towards Mr Clark. He struck the father-of-one on the side of the head with an open hand, causing him to fall to the ground. Witnesses reported hearing a "crack" as Mr Clark's head hit the floor.
Andrew Clark was rushed to hospital but died three days later from a catastrophic brain injury, having been declared brain dead. In a heartbreaking statement read to the court by her aunt, Mr Clark's 14-year-old daughter addressed Williams directly.
"My dad was not just my dad. He was my best friend. We did everything together," she said. "You did this to my dad. My dad was the most generous man I know. I don't want to live my life without him. You got to keep your family, while you destroyed mine in the cruellest way."
Judge condemns 'devastating' actions
Passing sentence, His Honour Judge Andrew Lees described Mr Clark as a "hard-working family man" who was "much loved, much respected, and will be much missed". The judge told Williams: "What the family said in court brings home the magnitude of what has happened and the devastating loss and consequences of your actions. The family are dealing with unimaginable grief from which recovery is unlikely to ever be complete."
Williams, a father-of-three himself, was arrested at a house in Croydon and later charged. He had initially denied murder but admitted manslaughter. The court heard that an experienced CCTV officer assessed the blow as a slap rather than a punch. A witness reported hearing Williams say "I told you to f****** apologise" after the attack.
Judge Lees stated that Williams would serve up to two-thirds of his sentence in prison before being released on licence. He warned that any breach of licence conditions would result in a recall to prison.
