Killer Liam Wright jailed after Sunderland city centre attack led to death of 'happy-go-lucky' Carl Loughran

A killer has been put behind bars for a fatal city centre punch attack.
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Liam Wright, 32, punched Carl Loughran to the ground with four blows after a chance meeting in the street led to a brief exchange of words on August 1.

Newcastle Crown Court heard Mr Loughran, 36, from Sunderland, hit his head on the ground as he fell and suffered fatal brain injuries.

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Liam Wright.Liam Wright.
Liam Wright.

His brother Ricky Loughran, who lost another sibling in the previous months, said Mr Loughran was a "happy-go-lucky man who was always laughing and would do anything for anyone if they needed help".

Mr Loughran described in an impact statement the heartbreaking moment he said goodbye to his brother in hospital.

He said: "I said my goodbyes to him and kissed him. I told him I loved him.

"I was heartbroken and still am."

Police at the scene.Police at the scene.
Police at the scene.
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Mr Loughran added: "Doctors told me on August 3 Carl was brain dead and there was nothing more that they could do for him.

"I allowed doctors to take organs as I know this would be what Carl would have wanted.

"He had a heart of gold and would like to know his death may have saved the life of someone else, even if they were a total stranger."

Prosecutor Christine Egerton told the court the fatal confrontation was caught on CCTV, which was played at the hearing, and showed Wright and two pals approach Mr Loughran in the street.

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Wright claims during a brief exchange of words, Mr Loughran said something that caused him to have a brief "loss of self control".

Miss Egerton said: "The footage shows the defendant swing a punch, which connected with Mr Loughran's head, causing him to move backwards.

"It is then clear the defendant threw a two punch combination, which again connected and caused him to stumble backwards.

"The defendant continued to move towards Mr Loughran and threw a further punch, which then caused him to fall straight back onto the middle of the road."

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The court heard Mr Loughran, who had a fractured skull, bruising around the mouth and two black eyes, had emergency surgery at hospital but was unable to be saved.

Miss Egerton said his death was due to brain injury.

Wright, 32, of Rangoon Road in Sunderland, who has a criminal record, admitted manslaughter.

Judge Penny Moreland jailed him for five years and four months.

The judge told him: "He was a man of 36 with a family who loved him and bear the heartbreak and distress we have heard in court.

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"Neither your expressions of remorse nor anything I can do or say today can restore him to them."

Glenn Gatland, defending, read a letter Wright had written for the hearing.

In it, Wright expressed "remorse and sorrow" for what he did and said the letter was not to beg for leniency but to say he is "truly sorry".

He said: "By no means did I intend to cause Carl harm, never mind kill him but at the end of the day that's exactly what my reckless, irresponsible actions that day have amounted to.”

He added: "I just wish I could change what I've done but I can't.

"All I can do is apologise and I will continue to do this until I go to my grave.

"I know this will never be enough for Carl's family, nor should it be.

"I just hope one day they can understand how truly sorry and remorseful I am for my reckless actions."

Wright said he wished to offer "sympathy and condolences" to the grieving family and added: "I really can't believe I have taken the life of another human being."

Wright said he hoped in time his remorse would be understood and added: "I think of Carl every day."

Detective Inspector Barry Mcatominey, of Northumbria Police’s Homicide and Major Enquiry Team, said: “First and foremost, our thoughts go out to Carl’s family at this devastating time.

“No sentence today could have reversed the sad events of that afternoon and brought Carl back. Their pain and anguish has not gone away and Wright must live knowing his actions have caused their unimaginable heartache.

“Wright was the aggressor as he approached his victim in the middle of a busy street and a verbal altercation ensued. He then took the decision to swing four punches at Carl.

“The impact of that fourth blow caused Carl to fall backwards and hit his head off the pavement, suffering injuries that he was unable to survive from.

“Wright could have walked away, and if he had, Carl would still be alive today. That’s the sobering reality and something that the defendant must carry on his conscience.

“I hope this case sends a strong message to everyone in our communities – if you decide to swing a punch, you run the risk of ruining several lives forever.

“Wright made a choice when turning to violence and that decision has had absolutely catastrophic consequences.”