Fugitive on run for 22 years jailed over fatal fight

Oliver Coleman should have stood trial in 1990 accused of causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Hugh Raymond O’Gorman the previous year in Armley, but jumped bail and disappeared.

He could not face a more serious charge under the law at that time because as the death had happened more than a year and a day after the offence.

Coleman was eventually tracked to the Republic of Ireland where at one stage he was confronted during a Roger Cook TV investigation into fugitives on the run.

But by the time he lost a challenge in 2003 in the Irish Supreme Court against his surrender to the British Authorities he was serving a sentence in that country.

In July that year he was cleared of murdering 20-year-old Michael Rosney, who was shot at a drinking party, but was found guilty of his manslaughter.

He was sentenced to 12 years in prison for that conviction and was only flown back last year to face justice in Yorkshire.

Coleman, now 44, was jailed yesterday for six years having accepted causing grievous bodily harm with intent to Mr O’Gorman.

Judge Jennifer Kershaw QC said it was a “vicious and sustained attack”, and by the time his kicks landed on the man as he lay on the ground “he was incapable of offering any further resistance”.

Jonathan Sharp, prosecuting, told Leeds Crown Court that on June 9, 1989, Coleman and Mr O’Gorman were among a group who were drinking in the Victory House Ex-Servicemen’s Club when an argument began between the two.

There was a struggle and Mr O’Gorman took a swing at Coleman with a glass. A club official calmed the situation down but it erupted again and the pair went outside.

Mr Sharp said the Crown did not dispute Coleman’s account that Mr O’Gorman had a knife but after Coleman had kicked him hard in the groin leaving him doubled up on the ground he no longer posed a danger.

But Coleman then subjected him to a “serious and sustained attack” stamping and kicking him about the head and chest.

One witness said he saw at least 20 stamps with the heel of Coleman’s trainers as he held on to some bars over a nearby window to keep his balance. A barmaid said she had never seen an attack like it.

After remaining on the scene a short time Coleman left. Mr O’Gorman was unconscious and unresponsive and was rushed to Leeds General Infirmary with multiple injuries to his head, face and groin area.

He had suffered brain damage and over the next 48 hours his condition deteriorated. He had an emergency operation to remove a blot clot within the brain and was placed on life support.

Mr Sharp said he remained in a persistent vegetative state and died on October 12, 199,0 from broncho-pneumonia due to acute bronchitis caused by his prone situation following his injuries.

Coleman was later bailed and his trial was listed for October 16, by chance four days after Mr O’Gorman’s death, but he never attended and returned to his home town.

A local Irish police officer contacted by West Yorkshire Police subsequently denied seeing him there on a number of occasions but extradition proceedings were eventually begun, which he contested.

He was on bail in those proceedings when he shot and killed Mr Rosney.

Derek Duffy, for Coleman, told the court in Leeds from the judge’s sentencing remarks in Ireland, Coleman’s remorse in that case was accepted as genuine.

He was not the same man now as he was in 1989 and had suffered his own family tragedy since with the death of his young daughter while awaiting sentence in Leeds.

After the case Det Chief Insp Simon Beldon said: “This case involved a prolonged battle by West Yorkshire Police to have this man extradited to the UK from the Irish Republic.

“It should stand as yet another example of the Force’s determination to get those who attempt to evade justice and put them before the courts.”