Warwickshire man admits causing death following fight outside pub

Mark Stevens will be sentenced in September.

Author: Ben CartwrightPublished 1st Aug 2023

A man has admitted causing the death of another man after assaulting him outside an Alcester pub.

Mark Stevens, of no fixed abode, was drinking at the Blue Boar Inn pub in Temple Grafton on 24 November last year when he is understood to have punched William 'Billy' Carney.

The two men went out into the car park, Stevens was seen to take hold of Mr Carney with one hand and then punch him with his other hand causing Mr Carney to fall and hit his head on the concrete.

The 31-year-old was taken to hospital where he later died from a bleed to the brain.

An investigation began with officers quickly identifying Stevens as the man who’d assaulted Mr Carney.

When questioned by officers after his arrest, he initially provided a statement admitting the assault to Mr Carney.

He was subsequently charged with manslaughter and on Friday (28 July) he pleaded guilty at Warwick Crown Court.

He is set to be sentenced at the same court on 22 September.

Detective Chief Inspector Teresa McKenna said: “Mark Stevens’s actions have had devastating consequences.

"William’s death in such tragic circumstances has caused untold misery and resulted in many lives being turned upside down.

“Thankfully, incidents of this nature in our communities are rare and although we can’t bring William back, I hope Stevens’ conviction will give a sense of closure to his family and friends after an unbearably difficult time."

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