Middlesbrough grandfather suffered fatal head injuries

Teesside Crown Court heard how Carl James suffered fatal injuries after being headbutted and punched by Curtis Tudor.

The 42-year-old died following an incident at the Jack and Jill pub on Crossfell Road, Middlesbrough, in May this year.

CCTV footage captured the fatal incident in the pub beer garden which showed Mr James sitting next to the defendant before violence erupted.

The grandfather-of-two suffered catastrophic bleeding around his brain after he struck his head on a wooden table.

Carl James (Image: CLEVELAND POLICE)

Mr James, a scaffolder who had recently completed an offshore safety course, was taken to James Cook University Hospital where he died three days later.

His heartbroken family described Carl, known affectionately as Frankie, as a loving and caring man who always made others smile.

His brother, Anthony, fought back tears as he read out his victim impact statement describing his brother as having a 'heart of gold'.

He said: “He was a much-loved member of a large family and was also loving, not afraid to show it to anyone he knew.

“He always gave everyone a hug and told them he loved them. He would do anything for anyone.”

The court was shown the CCTV footage where Tudor headbutted Mr James before delivering a punch to the head and grabbing him in a headlock which ended with the victim suffering fatal head injuries.

The Jack and Jill pub in Middlesbrough (Image: Terry Blackburn)

Jolyon Perks, prosecuting, said: “The assault involved a sustained attack, it involved the initial use of a headbutt which was followed up with a right-hook when the victim was vulnerable and was only brought to an end when he was dragged off the victim by others.”

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The 26-year-old, of Welburn Grove, Middlesbrough, pleaded guilty to manslaughter following the violence shortly before 6pm on Saturday, May 11.

The court heard Tudor had three convictions for six offences, including attacking two men in March this year, one of whom he punched repeatedly to the head and the other to the chest and throat.

Martin Reid KC, mitigating, said his client had shown genuine remorse and told the judge that the violence was not pre-meditated.

Judge Francis Laird KC will sentence Tudor in the morning (Friday, November 29).