A CWMBRAN man was yesterday found guilty of causing the death of an Usk bank worker during a fancy dress night out.
Aaron Davies, 24, of Barnets, Greenmeadow, was convicted of the manslaughter of Gareth Davies, 26, after a three-week trial at Cardiff Crown Court.
Gareth Davies, of Llangibby, suffered head injuries during a fancy dress night out in Cwmbran in the early hours of October 28, 2007. He died two days later.
During the trial, jurors heard Gareth Davies was out with friends dressed as a Ghostbuster at a fundraising party at the Wetherspoon John Fielding pub in Cwmbran town centre on October 27, 2007.
Prosecutor Robin Spencer said Aaron Davies was also at the pub with friends and was in an aggressive mood after rowing on the phone with his ex-girlfriend.
The court heard violence broke out at the end of the night as people were leaving the pub and Aaron Davies was “spoiling for a fight.”
Mr Spencer said Aaron Davies was scuffling with three people before Gareth Davies walked over and Aaron Davies punched him hard in the face, causing him to fall backwards and hit his head on the ground.
Police were called but Gareth Davies said he did not want any fuss and went home in taxi with friends.
In the morning his friends were unable to wake him and he was taken to the Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport. He never regained consciousness.
Aaron Davies denied punching Gareth Davies and told the court he was assaulted by members of the fancy dress group.
The court heard Aaron Davies say he saw Gareth Davies on the floor, but did not see him fall and “had nothing at all to do with him going to ground.”
Remanding Aaron Davies in custody, the Recorder of Cardiff, Nicholas Cooke, said: “You have been convicted of taking a human life. It is a very serious matter. In these circumstances a custodial sentence is inevitable.”
Aaron Davies will be sentenced on April 26.
A Gwent Police spokeswoman said: “This was a tragic incident that resulted in the death of a young man and demonstrates the dangers of alcohol related violence. Our thoughts remain with Gareth’s family at this time.”
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