A grandfather who died after being attacked in a pub’s beer garden had a “heart of gold” and a “loved life”, a court has heard.
Carl James, 42, died in hospital three days after he was headbutted and punched by Curtis Tudor outside the Jack and Jill Pub in Middlesbrough in May, Teesside Crown Court heard.
Mr James, a much-loved father of five and grandfather of two, suffered a horrific brain haemorrhage after hitting his head on a wooden table.
Tudor, 26 and of Welburn Grove in Ormesby, admitted manslaughter and will be sentenced on Friday.
James was attacked after sitting down on the bench next to Tudor shortly before 18:00 BST on May 11, the court heard.
The violence took place in front of around 20 people, including a number of children, the court heard.
While others were performing CPR on James, Tudor stood by and held his hand, prosecutors said before leaving the scene.
‘Absolutely heartbroken’
James, a scaffolder who had just completed an overseas safety course, was taken to James Cook University Hospital where he died three days later.
His brother Anthony James told the court that the 42-year-old’s death had affected the whole family.
She said her brother was always loving and “not afraid to show it off”, adding that he was “caring and generous” and had a “big heart of gold”.
More than £30,000 had been raised in memory of his brother, he said, which was a testament to the many people and causes he helped in his life.
Curtis Tudor attacked Carl James in the garden of the Jack and Jill pub [Google]
“He always made everyone laugh and smile in his own way,” Mr James said, adding that his parents were “absolutely devastated”.
He said the family had many “wonderful” memories of James, who was nicknamed Frank by his friends after dressing up as Frankenstein’s monster in a parade as a child, but they were saddened that he would no longer be able to do so.
The court heard that Tudor is guilty of three of six offenses including assaulting two men in March this year, one of whom repeatedly punched the other in the head, chest and throat.
In mitigation, the court heard Tudor had written a letter in which he expressed genuine remorse.
Follow BBC Tees at X, Facebook, nextdoor and Instagram. Send your story ideas to Northeastandcumbria@bbc.co.uk.