Menu
01/04/2009
Supermarket Killing Pair Jailed
A man and woman have been jailed over the death of an innocent man in a queue-jumping row in south London.
Tony Virasami, 38, punched Kevin Tripp to the ground after his 37-year-old partner Antonette Richardson summoned him.
He was jailed for four years after a court found him guilty of manslaughter.
Richardson was sentenced to 18 months for the same charge.
Virasami pleaded guilty to the charge, however, Richardson denied her part in the killing.
Mr Tripp, 57, from Colliers Wood, south-west London, died from a fatal brain injury suffered in the attack.
The father-of-one had been out shopping when an argument broke out.
Witnesses say that Mr Tripp was a bystander in a row over who had arrived at the queue first.
Sentencing Virasami, Judge Geoffrey Rivlin QC said the sentence reflected the "revulsion and concern felt by Mr Tripp's nearest and dearest", and also the "shock and concern felt by the public at large".
The jury heard how Richardson had "egged on" Virasami to take revenge for an earlier confrontation with a fellow Sainsbury’s shopper.
Her trial heard that she was queuing outside the store's cigarette kiosk in Merton, south-west London, when Adam Prendergast accused her of "pushing in". In the "fierce" row that followed, he threatened to knock her out.
"He got very aggressive. I didn't say anything else to him. I was too frightened of his reaction," she said.
She subsequently phoned Virasami, who had been waiting in a car nearby, and when he came in to the store she pointed out Mr Prendergast.
The 38-year-old mistook Mr Tripp for the man and punched him.
The court heard "the most almighty blow" caused Mr Tripp, who suffered from ME, to fall over and bang his head hard on the floor which fractured his skull, causing bleeding on the brain.
He died later in hospital.
(JM/BMcC)
Tony Virasami, 38, punched Kevin Tripp to the ground after his 37-year-old partner Antonette Richardson summoned him.
He was jailed for four years after a court found him guilty of manslaughter.
Richardson was sentenced to 18 months for the same charge.
Virasami pleaded guilty to the charge, however, Richardson denied her part in the killing.
Mr Tripp, 57, from Colliers Wood, south-west London, died from a fatal brain injury suffered in the attack.
The father-of-one had been out shopping when an argument broke out.
Witnesses say that Mr Tripp was a bystander in a row over who had arrived at the queue first.
Sentencing Virasami, Judge Geoffrey Rivlin QC said the sentence reflected the "revulsion and concern felt by Mr Tripp's nearest and dearest", and also the "shock and concern felt by the public at large".
The jury heard how Richardson had "egged on" Virasami to take revenge for an earlier confrontation with a fellow Sainsbury’s shopper.
Her trial heard that she was queuing outside the store's cigarette kiosk in Merton, south-west London, when Adam Prendergast accused her of "pushing in". In the "fierce" row that followed, he threatened to knock her out.
"He got very aggressive. I didn't say anything else to him. I was too frightened of his reaction," she said.
She subsequently phoned Virasami, who had been waiting in a car nearby, and when he came in to the store she pointed out Mr Prendergast.
The 38-year-old mistook Mr Tripp for the man and punched him.
The court heard "the most almighty blow" caused Mr Tripp, who suffered from ME, to fall over and bang his head hard on the floor which fractured his skull, causing bleeding on the brain.
He died later in hospital.
(JM/BMcC)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
28 May 2009
Soldier Dies In Southern Afghanistan
A British soldier has been killed in an explosion in southern Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has said. The serviceman from the 2nd Battalion the Mercian Regiment was on an operation near Garmsir in Helmand Province, and next of kin have been informed.
Soldier Dies In Southern Afghanistan
A British soldier has been killed in an explosion in southern Afghanistan, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has said. The serviceman from the 2nd Battalion the Mercian Regiment was on an operation near Garmsir in Helmand Province, and next of kin have been informed.
26 February 2009
Woman Guilty Of 'Queue-Jumping' Death
A 37-year-old woman has been found guilty of the manslaughter of a man in a supermarket after a 'queue-jumping' row in Merton. Antonette Richardson had called her boyfriend Tony Virasami into the Sainsbury's store in south London, after she was accused of jumping a queue. Richardson, 37, had denied the charge at Southwark Crown Court.
Woman Guilty Of 'Queue-Jumping' Death
A 37-year-old woman has been found guilty of the manslaughter of a man in a supermarket after a 'queue-jumping' row in Merton. Antonette Richardson had called her boyfriend Tony Virasami into the Sainsbury's store in south London, after she was accused of jumping a queue. Richardson, 37, had denied the charge at Southwark Crown Court.
19 March 2009
Actress Natasha Richardson Dies After Ski Fall
British actress Natasha Richardson has died in hospital after suffering a serious head injury in a skiing accident. The 45-year-old daughter of actress Vanessa Redgrave, fell during a lesson on a nursery slope in Qubec, Canada.
Actress Natasha Richardson Dies After Ski Fall
British actress Natasha Richardson has died in hospital after suffering a serious head injury in a skiing accident. The 45-year-old daughter of actress Vanessa Redgrave, fell during a lesson on a nursery slope in Qubec, Canada.
09 February 2007
Ian Richardson dies age 72
Stage and television actor Ian Richardson has died suddenly aged 72. Best know for his recent television performance as underhand politician Francis Urquhart in the BBC drama 'House of Cards', he had been due to start shooting on ITV's 'Midsomer Murders'.
Ian Richardson dies age 72
Stage and television actor Ian Richardson has died suddenly aged 72. Best know for his recent television performance as underhand politician Francis Urquhart in the BBC drama 'House of Cards', he had been due to start shooting on ITV's 'Midsomer Murders'.
29 May 2015
Two Collisions At Same Scene In Northumberland
Police have appealed for witnesses following two separate collisions at the same spot in Seaton Deleval, Northumberland, on Thursday night. It is understood that a car left the A192 at about 22:05 last night. As police responded to the incident a second car is said to have also crashed at the same scene at about 22:45.
Two Collisions At Same Scene In Northumberland
Police have appealed for witnesses following two separate collisions at the same spot in Seaton Deleval, Northumberland, on Thursday night. It is understood that a car left the A192 at about 22:05 last night. As police responded to the incident a second car is said to have also crashed at the same scene at about 22:45.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:Showers today, occasional north and west of Lough Neagh, but only a few isolated light outbreaks expected for Belfast and county Down where the best of the winter sunshine is expected. West to northwest winds brisk around the coasts. Maximum temperature 10 °C.Tonight:Showers focused across northern areas of the Province, with most in the south staying dry, with a frost developing for many here. Northwest winds fresh around the coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.
