Thug fatally punched 'wonderful' grandad in Bury after bike row

Michael Dawson, 78, had been out with a friend at The Bank pub on Market Street on the night of August 24 last year with staff saying he was in a “convivial mood” but not drunk when he left the premises just before 11.50pm.

At Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court today, Wednesday, CCTV footage was played in court which showed Mr Dawson leaving the pub and walking on Market Street before pointing towards Nathan Pilling, who was riding an electric bike on the pavement on the other side of the road.

Pilling then rode across the road, got off his bike and put it against a rail and then stood directly in front of Mr Dawson as a confrontation took place.

During the argument, Pilling, who was aged 23 at the time, twice moved away to leave but when he returned for the final time he punched Mr Dawson to the head, causing him to fall to the ground, where he became motionless.

Two men, who were outside The Bank, rushed over with one trying to stop Pilling from riding away and the other checking Mr Dawson.

Footage also showed Pilling later managing to escape from a number of people who had gathered. But he was arrested nearby and initially lied about what happened.

Mr Dawson was taken to hospital where it was found he had suffered a fractured skull and bleed on the brain and transferred to intensive care.

His brain injuries were discovered to be “irreversible” and life support was switched off on September 4 last year.

Michael Dawson (Image: Greater Manchester Police)

Prosecutor Francis McAtee said Pilling pleaded not guilty to manslaughter.

But he changed his plea to guilty on the first day of the trial. The court heard he had three previous convictions including assaulting emergency service workers in 2019.

Emotional victim impact statements were read out in court, including from Mr Dawson’s granddaughters and his daughter.

He was described as “wonderful man” who was the “head of the family” and was kind, “always wanted to make people laugh” and loved walking, music and singing.

In his earlier years, Michael was an engineer who worked in South Africa where he met his late wife Poppy.

His family expressed that they could not understand how someone less than a third of Mr Dawson’s age could inflict such a “cowardly” violent act upon him and found it “inexcusable”.

Mr Dawson, who had the nickname “Curly Mike”, ironically because he had not hair, had an active social life and was looking forward to being the best man at his cousin’s wedding.

Defending, Katy Appleton said Pilling, now aged 24, of Deal Street, Bury, had a difficult upbringing, had shown remorse following the attack, is someone who lacks maturity and that he struggles with his anger.

Judge Tina Landale reminded him that he had the chance to “walk away”, that he was a physically bigger person than Mr Dawson, who was described as “vulnerable”, and that Pilling’s act of violence was a “gross overreaction”.

Judge Landale sentenced Pilling to five years and four months.

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Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court (Image: Public)

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Following the sentencing, senior police investigating officer, Phillip Reade, said: “This was a completely unprovoked attack which sadly took the life of a gentleman who was just enjoying a night out.

"I am extremely grateful to those members of the public who came to Michael’s aid and helped to detain Pilling.

"It is very clear that Michael was a much loved family man and very popular who will be missed by so many.

"We have zero tolerance against violence and will do everything we can to make sure the instigators are taken off the streets and placed before the courts.”