Man jailed for eight years after killing Clacton mum
He admitted to manslaughter after Michelle Cooper died last April
Last updated 6th Apr 2022
A Jaywick man has been jailed for eight years after being found guilty of the manslaughter of a mother of three in the town last year.
31 year old Bobby Nethercott, of Park Square East, was also convicted of actual bodily harm at Chelmsford Crown Court after a fight on Friday 23 April 2021.
Co-defendents, Jordan Stanley, 20, of Masterman Road, London and Charlie Whittaker, 23, of Bemerton Gardens, Kirby Cross were found guilty of ABH and were sentenced to 12 months.
20-year-old Demi Cole, of Beach Way, Jaywick, admitted ABH and was handed 6 months behind bars.
It's after the death of Michelle Cooper, from Clacton, in the town last year.
She was attacked by Nethercott on Beach Way, suffering a serious head injury. She died in hospital in Colchester.
One of the other defendents attacked a woman who came to Michelle's aid.
In a family statement, Tess Cooper, Michelle's mum, said: "We will always remember Michelle as the happy, energetic and optimistic girl she was. Someone who would light up a room and fill it with energy.
"Before her tragic death, Michelle had so much to look forward to. She enjoyed working at the local pub and teaching exercise classes: a fitness fanatic who loved sharing her passion for exercise with others.
"Michelle was a big part of the local community and her death has been far reaching. She was loved and is missed by so many.
"But most heart-breaking of all, Michelle has left behind her three beloved children, never seeing them grow up. And she’s been deprived of being a grandmother, something she would’ve loved.
"She was the most caring and generous person. If you ever needed anything, she was always there for you. She spread so much joy.
"But our family has been left feeling empty, our lives are never going to be the same again.
"She was literally the rock in our family and everything has changed.
"Now that the trial into Michelle’s death has come to an end, our family can begin to grieve and start the almost impossible task of rebuilding our lives.
"Having to sit in court and hear the details of what happened to Michelle, causing her death that night, have been horrific and will live with us forever.
"It is something we think about every single day.
"We would like to thank Essex Police for their efforts in this investigation.
"DCI Louise Metcalfe and her team have been really good to us and we recognise all their hard work. We are grateful to our Family Liaison Officer, DC Simon Laurie, who has assisted and supported us through every step of the investigation and trial.
"The staff at Colchester Hospital were so good to us and tried their best to save Michelle.
"We want to thank those who helped Michelle on the night she died: they gave us the opportunity to say goodbye."