Killer pub-goer punched and headbutted Carl James in beer garden attack that claimed dad-of-five's life

Curtis Tudor told a dad-of-five to "get away, get away from me" before telling him to "f*** off" and launching a fatal attack.

The 26-year-old punched and headbutted Carl James, 42, before using "a right hook" on his victim, as he lay on the ground of a pub garden, on Saturday, May 11. The two men had "exchanged words" earlier that day.

Tudor was pulled off Mr James by other drinkers, and he sat a distance away as they tried to administer first aid at the Jack and Jill pub, in Crossfell Road, Berwick Hills, Middlesbrough. The attacker was heard to say: "F*** this, I'm going."

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Two double-crewed ambulances arrived minutes later at around 6pm. Mr James sadly died three days later, in James Cook University Hospital, in Middlesbrough. He had suffered a brain haemorrhage in the attack.

On Thursday, Tudor, of Welburn Grove, Ormesby, appeared at Teesside Crown Court. He admitted manslaughter at an earlier hearing.

Mr Jones' brother, Anthony, broke down as he talked about Carl's five children; and how "there will be no trip to Lapland this Christmas" for Carl's youngest son.

Anthony James said that an older son had described his dad as "the best man who walked the earth." He told the court that Carl was affectionately known as 'Frank' or 'Frankie' because he used to dress up as Frankenstein when he was little, on float day at Pallister Park community centre.

"Carl was a much-loved member of a large family. He was very loving and not afraid to show it," Anthony James said; breaking down in tears. "He'd do anything for anyone - he had a heart of gold."

Mr James's family sat in the public gallery as Dan Cordey, mitigating, told the court that Tudor was "remorseful" and that "there is a significant gap between Mr Tudor's intentions and the consequences of his actions."

Tudor was remanded back into custody ahead of receiving his sentence on Friday, November 29.

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