By Fatma Younis
A murder trial at Stafford Crown Court has heard that Lichfield pub owner Matthew O’Gara, 44, was killed by a single punch to the neck in what prosecutors described as a "completely unprovoked and senseless attack" at the Ricco and Loren bar on 24 May.
Prosecution opens case
Prosecutor Timothy Hannam KC told the jury that Billy Allison, 36, from Solihull, delivered the blow with the "stance and skill of an experienced fighter" after a day of drinking and cocaine use. Allison denies murder and grievous bodily harm with intent but has admitted manslaughter and inflicting grievous bodily harm under section 20.
Fatal punch details
Mr O’Gara, who ran The Plough pub on the outskirts of Lichfield, had his back to Allison on the dancefloor when he was struck. The force broke several neck bones, split an artery and caused a massive brain haemorrhage leading to cardiac arrest. He never regained consciousness and died two days later at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham. His friend Adam Cooper, 65, was then punched, suffering a fractured eye socket and nose.
CCTV and aftermath
CCTV footage showed three powerful punches delivered in about six seconds. Witnesses described Allison as "almost frothing" and "manic". After the attack, Allison swapped T-shirts with a friend to conceal his face, fled through a back exit and later stayed at a hotel on the other side of the city centre. He was arrested around 5am and answered no comment to police questions.
Prosecution argues murder intent
Mr Hannam said Allison’s controlled poise, boxing experience in 2017 and 2024, and rational decisions after the assault — including changing clothes and evading capture — demonstrated an intention to cause at least really serious harm. The prosecution contends this was not a one-punch manslaughter but murder. The trial continues.
