A 32 year old man has been sentenced to six years in jail for a ‘particularly nasty and violent assault’ on a football fan who died in hospital three days later.
James Peter Gelling assaulted 51 year-old Ventsislav Marginov, on Lord Street in the town on the evening of Saturday 1st June 2019 . Mr Marginov was a Bulgarian national who was a resident in Southport.
Gelling admitted manslaughter at an earlier court hearing and was sentenced today (Friday 13th September) at Liverpool Crown Court to six years in jail plus an extended four years on licence.
Detective Inspector Gary Stratton welcomed the sentencing. He said: “This was a particularly nasty and violent assault on an innocent man who had been out earlier in the evening with his two sons watching the Champions League final.
“Mr Marginov sadly never recovered from the injuries he suffered and he died in hospital.
“His family, and in particular his parents who still live in Bulgaria, have been left devastated by their loss and the senseless manner in which he died.
“Sadly no sentence, however long, will be able to bring him back, but I hope the knowledge that Gelling will be spending a considerable time behind bars will bring them a sense of closure and allow them to begin the grieving process.”
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