A man from Gateshead has been jailed for four years after he killed a passer-by over cigarettes.
Killer Gary Pitt took the life of an innocent father-of-two in an unprovoked one-punch attack over a cigarette, a court heard.
Pitt had been intimidating members of the public and a shop owner in the lead up to the killing, making abusive remarks and stopping and searching strangers for cigarettes in broad daylight.
As Pitt, who had drunk six cans of lager, three litres of cider and one-and-a-half litres of vodka, rampaged through Gateshead, he came across Mohammed Rashwan.
Pitt searched the 45-year-old, then suddenly unleashed an upper cut which lifted the victim into the air and knocked him, causing him to smash his head on the pavement.
He suffered a fractured skull, bleeding on the brain and died from his injuries a week later.
Now Pitt, who pleaded guilty to manslaughter, has been branded dangerous by a judge at Newcastle Crown Court and jailed for four years with an extended licence until 2023.
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Mr Rashwan’s brother, Abdul, said in a statement to the court: “We as a family are finding it difficult to come to terms with his death and can’t understand how such a gentle man who was in poor health could be attacked in the street for no reason in an unprovoked attack which ended in his death.
“The death has hit the family very hard emotionally and financially. He was the main earner and his family will now face financial difficulties.”
Sentencing Pitt, 22, of Falstone, Leam Lane, Gateshead, Judge John Milford said: “You picked on a passer-by, punching him so hard he lost his life.
“I’m satisfied you are a dangerous offender and there is a risk you will commit further offences and cause serious harm.
“There is a real risk when you are released of another incident such as this.”
After the case, Det Insp Andy Fairlamb said: “Mr Mahmod died following a vicious and unprovoked attack by a stranger.
“Pitt left his victim lying unconscious in a Gateshead street with no concern for whether he was alive or dead. His actions have left Mr Mahmod’s family and friends both in the UK and Egypt devastated.
“While nothing can make up for Mr Mahmod’s death, I hope the sentence can provide some sense of closure to those who have been affected by his death and that they can start to move on with their lives.
“I extend my thanks to all of those people who came forward to give information to officers about this attack which has helped lead to this successful prosecution.”
