North Shields man jailed after killing victim with single punch

A man who killed a man in a one punch attack has been jailed for his manslaughter.

William Longworth assaulted Noel Reynolds as he was walking in the Balkwell Avenue area of North Shields on 10 December 2021.

The 37-year-old, from South Shields, was taken to hospital, where he remained in an unresponsive state, until he died on 3 January 2022.

Longworth, 37, of Gunerton Place, North Shields, was arrested in connection with his death and later charged with manslaughter and preventing the course of justice.

He pleaded guilty in September last year and on Friday 17 February, a judge at Newcastle Crown Court sentenced him to six years in prison.

Longworth’s partner, Marie Office, also 37, of the same address, was also arrested in connection with the offence and charged with perverting the course of justice.

She also pleaded guilty and was today handed a nine-month-long sentence, suspended for 18 months.

William Longworth had fallen out with Noel Reynold's cousin and her family after an earlier incident in the street where they lived in North Shields.

When Mr Reynold's and his friend turned up to visit his cousin, unaware she had moved, Longworth got wind of the fact he was there.

Despite being on bail banning him from entering the street, Gunnerton Place, he went looking for Mr Reynold.

He found him nearby, blocked his path then felled the seven-stone victim with one punch, causing a catastrophic brain injury.

Longworth and his partner, Marie Office, then concocted a false alibi saying they had been together all night.

In a victim impact statement, Noel's sister, Carol Reynolds, said the family have been left "heartbroken" at the death of her sibling, who she said "could charm the birds out of the trees with his cheeky personality".She added: "It's difficult for the family to come to terms with the death of Noel. When we were told he had been assaulted with one punch we never comprehended how seriously ill he was."We hope one day the man who caused Noel's death will understand the effect it has had on our family. This has caused so much pain and heartbreak, not only to our family but to their loved ones."

Detective Chief Inspector Louise Jenkins, of Northumbria Police’s major investigation team, said: “Our thoughts remain with the loved ones of Noel and we will continue to offer his family specialist support while they to attempt to come to terms with what has happened.

“No sentence will ever bring him back but I hope today’s sentence offers Noel’s family some semblance of justice.”

She added: “I also hope this sentence is a stark warning to all those who think engaging in violence is ever the answer – a single punch can cause so much devastation and even be deadly.

“That one decision could ruin a lot of lives, including your own and create a ripple effect of misery.”

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