Manslaughter verdict over 'unjustified' attack

Gary John Selwood was convicted of the manslaughter of Paul Carter

A man whose "unprovoked" attack on another man in a social club led to his death has been found guilty of manslaughter.

A jury at Bristol Crown Court has convicted Gary John Selwood of the manslaughter of Paul Carter, 69.

The 59 year old punched Mr Carter in an “unprovoked” and “unjustified” attack at Whitchurch Folk House in Bristol, on 27 February 2022.

Selwood, who was extradited from France back to the UK to face trial, will be sentenced at the same court on Monday.

After being punched, Mr Carter fell backwards and struck his head on the corner of some furniture at the venue, off East Dundry Road.

He was knocked unconscious and suffered a bleed to the brain, leading to his death in Southmead Hospital on 16 April.

The day after the attack, Selwood was arrested in the Bedminster area of the city on suspicion of assault, before being released under investigation.

He later moved to France, where he was arrested in the Aulnay area on 26 March this year and extradited back to the UK by specialist officers.

Mr Carter's family said they were "devastated" by his death

Following the verdict, the family of Paul Carter said in a statement that they have been "devastated" by Mr Selwood's death.

“We’ve been tormented by the pain and suffering inflicted by Selwood from such a mindless attack," they continued.

“We will never be able to come to terms with losing dad in this horrific way. Nobody deserves this.

"Our lives have felt paused waiting for Selwood’s return from France."

'Tried to avoid justice'

They added: “We still have to live with the knowledge that we may never fully know or understand the reasons for Selwood’s actions.

“We were relieved to hear today’s verdict of guilty, and the knowledge that justice will be served in sentencing, something that Selwood tried to avoid when he left the UK to set up a new life in France by burying his head in the sand and not owning up to his actions.

"But our loss will continue as nothing will bring back our dad."

The incident happened at the Whitchurch Folk House

Det Insp Mark Newbury, of the Major Crime Investigation Team, said Selwood's assault had been "reckless".

“Our thoughts are very much with Paul’s family, who’ve had to endure a lengthy wait for justice, complicated by the need to extradite Selwood from France, where he moved following his initial arrest.

"Nothing will ever bring Paul back, but we hope this conviction will be of some comfort to them.

“This case needs to act as a warning to others who engage in needless violence – even one punch can have horrific consequences.

"It can cause devastation to victims and their families, but also to the person who throws the punch.”