Man killed friend after 12-hr drinking session

VICTIM, AGED 45, WAS ATTACKED THREE TIMES IN ROW OVER BROKEN TV

- CARL JACKSON Court Reporter

Andrew Behan pleaded guilty to manslaughter

A MAN killed his friend in a row over a broken television following a 12-hour drinking session.

Andrew Behan attacked Francis Leitner three times in less than an hour on December 21 last year.

The assaults, all of which were captured on CCTV, included Behan headbutting the victim outside an off-licence before he repeatedly punched and elbowed him back at their HMO on Wyrley Road, Aston.

Afterwards Mr Leitner, a Brazilian national, caught a taxi to the hospital and in a phone call to his son said ‘you will be contacted if I’m dead’.

It was discovered he had a bleed on the brain which could not be treated. The 45-year-old died on December 23 when his life support was switched off.

Behan had gone out to continue drinking following the attacks.

The 41-year-old admitted manslaughter and a charge of murder was dropped.