A MAN has pleaded guilty following a fatal attack at a Cotswold pub.
Liam McKane, 53 and from London, has admitted the manslaughter of a Cheltenham man who died after being punched unconscious outside the Kingsbridge pub in Bourton.
At Gloucester Crown Court yesterday (June 26) McKane, of Uxbridge, Middlesex, admitted unlawfully killing 51-year-old Colin Leslie, who died a week after the assault on Saturday, August 28, 2021.
Mr Leslie was taken to John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford with head injuries but died on September 5, 2021.
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Prosecutor James Ward told the court yesterday that the lawyers in the case had read the Attorney General’s reference that when there is an issue over misguided belief of self-defence with another, it would require a fact-finding hearing.
He added: “A defence like this would most likely fall into the lowest category.”
Charles Royle defending, told the court that the formal basis of plea would be submitted to the court after consultation with his client.
Judge Martin Picton released McKane on conditional bail and ordered him to return to court for sentencing on August 11, 2023.
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In a statement issued shortly after Mr Leslie’s death The family said “Colin was a dearly loved son, father, brother, partner and uncle.
“Colin was always a happy guy who was well known to everyone and who touched so many lives.
“We as a family are absolutely heartbroken that he has been tragically taken from us like this.
“Our lives without Colin will never be the same again.”
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