By FRANCINE WOLFISZ
Published: | Updated:
A man brutally killed his elderly neighbour in a fit of violent rage after the pair became embroiled in a row over 'shutting a gate', a court heard today.
Prosecutors say Trevor Gocan punched and kicked pensioner James O'Neill before leaving him bleeding on the floor at an estate where they both lived in Covent Garden, central London.
Southwark Crown Court was told 57-year-old Gocan had become involved in a dispute with his 74-year-old neighbour.
Gocan 'struck out' at his elderly victim, sending him to the ground with an 'obviously bleeding' wound to his head, it was said.
The court heard he also kicked his victim at the entrance to the Odhams Walk estate, opposite the Zara store in Covent Garden.
Mr O'Neill, known to his family as Jim, was left in a coma following the broad daylight attack on Sunday, October 6, last year.
He died in hospital two weeks later.
Dad-of-two Gocan - who appeared in court dressed in a grey t-shirt and trousers and wearing glasses - was originally charged with grievous bodily harm with intent.
Mr O'Neill, known to his family as Jim, was left in a coma following the broad daylight attack on Sunday, October 6, last year. Hedied in hospital two weeks later
Prosecutors at Southwark Crown Court say Trevor Gocan punched and kicked pensioner James O'Neill before leaving him bleeding on the floor at an estate where they both lived in Covent Garden, central London (file pic)
The court heard Gocan allegedly punched and kicked his victim at the entrance to the Odhams Walk estate, opposite the Zara store in Covent Garden (file pic)
He had his charge escalated to murder after Mr O'Neill's death, which he denies.
Opening the trial today, prosecutor Lisa Wilding KC said: 'Trevor Gocan and James O'Neill, the man who died, were neighbours - although they didn't know it.
'Both of them lived in flats in a small estate in central London called Odhams Walk, just off Long Acre, the central road that runs east to west through Covent Garden.
'It was October 6 last year that Trevor Gocan and James O'Neill - known as Jim - encountered each other at the entrance gate to the estate.
'An argument started - probably about shutting a gate - and it descended to violence.
'The violence was delivered by this defendant. He punched and kicked at Mr O'Neill, who was immediately sent to the ground with an obviously bleeding head wound.
'The defendant walked away and left Mr O'Neill on the ground.
'It's the prosecution case that this defendant, Trevor Gocan, murdered James O'Neill.
The court heard that the dispute began over a gate at the Odhams Walk estate in Covent Garden, central London (file pic)
'In other words, Trevor Gocan deliberately, unlawfully - not in lawful self-defence - struck out at James O'Neill.
'He punched with such significant force to dislodge a tooth and kicked him.
'The prosecution say these actions, taken in combination, were designed and intended to cause James O'Neill really serious injury.'
Ms Wilding told jurors that though the assault occurred on October 6, it wasn't until later in the month that Mr O'Neill died.
'This incident took place on October 6,' she confirmed. 'The assault caused the injuries and over a period of time these injuries, it became apparent, were catastrophic.
'Mr O'Neill's brain could not recover from them and he died on October 22.'
The bereaved family of Mr O'Neill sat at the back of the court, listening to the opening.
The trial, expected to last two weeks, continues.
London
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