'Powerful' punches led to war veteran's death 10 months after attack

Man, 32, denies murder of former soldier

- Sentinel Reporter

A MAN landed 'powerful and cowardly' punches on an Iraq War veteran in a street attack that caused him a severe brain injury he never recovered from, a murder trial has been told.

British Army veteran Lee Woodward, 39, died in hospital 10 months after he was left brain damaged from an attack by 32-year-old Gregory Twigg in Trade Street in Stoke town centre on the night of June 24 2022, Stafford Crown Court heard.

The defendant was jailed for 11 years in September 2022 after pleading guilty to grievous bodily harm with intent for the attack on Mr Woodward.

He is now on trial accused of murder after Mr Woodward, of Meir, died from complications arising from his injuries on April 26 2023.

Prosecutor David Mason told the jury that Twigg, previously of Blurton, had punched Mr Woodward, who had been on a night out with his fiancee 'really hard, not once, not twice, but three times'.

He said: "The first punch floored him. The second knocked him back into a car and the last completely knocked him out and he never recovered.

"When Gregory Twigg delivered this (final) punch, we say Lee Woodward was in no position to defend himself.