Man died after being punched in 'moment of mindless violence'

A MAN died after suffering “devastating” head injuries when he was punched in a “moment of mindless violence’, a court heard.

- ANDREW FORGRAVE

Paul Ince arrives at Mold Crown Court

Paul Ince is accused of hitting John Ithell before he fell back into a fence and died about four hours later.

Ince 31, denies the manslaughter of Mr Ithell, 59, in Wrexham on June 12, 2023. Yesterday, a jury at Mold Crown Court heard Mr Ithell and a friend had gone to a flat in Pont Wen in Pentre Gwyn.

They tried to buy drugs but, when a man - Carl Brown - came down and said it was the wrong flat, another man - Ince - ran outside the flat and punched Mr Ithell in the face, claimed prosecutor Mark Connor.

Mr Ithell’s friend Rebecca Baldini later told police she had heard a “clack”. She said Mr Ithell “flew” four or five feet and hit a wooden fence.

She said later: “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.”

The court heard Carl Brown then told Ince: “I think you've knocked him out.”

But Mr Ithell, whose nickname was Bronco, walked away, later reaching Whitegate Industrial Estate, said the prosecution.

Its security guard Mike Jones heard banging on the door of the gatehouse.

He looked through a window at the top of the door and shouted for assistance.