Victim Philip Quinn was described by his family as “larger than life”
Philip Quinn(Image: Merseyside Police)
A man has admitted killing his neighbour in a violent altercation outside his home. Philip Quinn, 54, died in hospital after being found collapsed at his home on Brookhouse Grove in St Helens on August 23 2023 – one day after Merseyside Police were called to reports of an assault.
His neighbour David Lyons was charged with murder. The 44-year-old, of Brookhouse Grove, pleaded not guilty and appeared at Liverpool Crown Court for trial in July last year. However Judge Andrew Menary discharged the jury after they were unable to reach a verdict, and a retrial was ordered.
This was due to begin at 10.30am today, April 2. However, Lyons changed his plea at the eleventh hour, pleading guilty to the alternative charge of manslaughter.
Appearing in the dock wearing black-rimmed glasses and a dark blue, long-sleeved shirt, he admitted unlawfully killing Mr Quinn.
The ECHO previously reported that police were called to Brookhouse Grove at 1.30am on August 22 2023 after receiving reports from the North West Ambulance Service that a man in his 50s – Mr Quinn – had been assaulted.
Mr Quinn was then taken to hospital, where he was spoken to by officers before being discharged. He was subsequently found collapsed inside a property on the same street at around 3.30pm the next day.
He was later pronounced dead at hospital. Mr Quinn’s family said in a statement in the wake of his death: “We are shocked and devastated at the loss of a beloved son, brother and brother-in-law.
“Philip had autism and learning disabilities, but was fiercely independent and had lived happily at his home in Brookhouse Grove for the past seven years.
“Philip was larger than life. He loved being with other people and would get along with anyone. His death has left an enormous hole in our lives.”
In court today, prosecutor Peter Glenser KC said: “This case was due to be a retrial and on the previous occasion the Crown indicated a plea of manslaughter would be acceptable. Having entered a plea to manslaughter, there need not be a trial.”
Judge Menary told the jury panel: “Lyons stood trial last year. There was a jury at that stage and the jury could not reach a verdict. You knew nothing about the offences. I will describe more of it this afternoon.
“The defendant and the deceased lived nearby, and there was an incident involving the defendant using violence against that man, and a sad consequence of that was he (Mr Quinn) suffered an internal injuries and several days later died as a consequence of that injury.
“The defendant now admits being responsible for the unlawful killing of Mr Quinn and it[s for that offence he will be sentenced. That plea is acceptable given the facts of the case and one with which I agree, and the defendant will be sentenced accordingly.”
David Lyons will be sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court later today, April 2.
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