Paul Greaney KC and Ryan Donoghue appeared for the prosecution, and Nick Lumley KC for the defendant, in a tragic case involving the death of a talented semi-professional footballer following a Christmas night out in York.

The victim, James Hitchcock, had been on a night out with friends, when they came across the defendant and his friends in York train station. After an initial verbal exchange between the groups, the defendant became focused on Mr Hitchcock and others nearby had to step in to prevent the defendant becoming violent. Mr Hitchcock and the defendant, in their respective groups, then separated. The defendant made his way over the footbridge to platform 10, while Mr Hitchcock remained on the concourse, ordering food from a takeaway. Having remained on platform 10 for around 3 minutes, the defendant made his way back over the footbridge and, having reached the bottom of the stairs, walked directly towards James Hitchcock. He approached Mr Hitchcock from behind and punched him once to the right side of the head. Mr Hitchcock collapsed immediately, having suffered a traumatic basal subarachnoid haemorrhage from the force of the blow. He also struck his head on the floor as he fell. James Hitchcock went into cardiac arrest at the scene and was transported to hospital, where he sadly died of his injuries, three days later.  

The defendant was initially charged with murder but his guilty plea to manslaughter was later accepted by the prosecution. The defendant was sentenced on 16^th July 2025, by HHJ Kearl KC, to 6 years 8 months’ imprisonment.

Press coverage of the case is available below:

BBC: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c3w42d60wppo

London Evening Standard: https://www.standard.co.uk/news/crime/york-burger-king-leeds-crown-court-north-lincolnshire-east-yorkshire-b1238489.html

Authors

Nicholas Lumley KC

Joint Head of Chambers

Call 1992 | Silk 2012

Paul Greaney KC

Call 1993 | Silk 2010

Ryan Donoghue

Call 2015

Related areas

Crime

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