Punch killer’s chilling boast

FLORAL tributes were laid at the scene of the deadly attack

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AN AMATEUR boxer killed a Hathershaw man with a devastating, unprovoked blow after boasting of his “killer punch.”

Louis Veitch (22), was jailed for six-and-a-half years yesterday after admitting the manslaughter of Andy Molloy (25). The fatal attack happened outside Oldham’s Old Mess House pub in Yorkshire Street, on March 15.

Manchester Crown Square Court heard that Mr Molloy had been standing with his hands in his pockets when Veitch, of Caunce Street, Blackpool, suddenly threw the vicious punch, knocking him backwards where he fatally hit his head on the road.

An hour earlier, Veitch had punched another man in a separate incident, claiming he was protecting a female friend who was being harassed, and bragged he had “a killer punch.”

Mr Molloy, of Falmouth Street, Hathershaw, who was out drinking with a friend, had tried to calm an argument in the street before stepping away.

Darren Preston, prosecuting, described how CCTV footage showed Mr Molloy looking away from Veitch and towards the dispute when Veitch “lined him up” in his sights and released the heavy blow that knocked his victim out cold before he banged his head with an audible thump.

Veitch threw three more punches at Mr Molloy’s friend, which thankfully missed, before running away. He returned to hurl abuse at people, shouting: “Do you want some.”

Mr Molloy was taken to hospital but had suffered a catastrophic brain injury and later died.

Veitch claimed to police that Mr Molloy had provoked him by telling him not to touch him when he touched his arm and threatening to stab him, and that he had acted in self defence.

But Judge Anthony Gee QC said this was pure invention and described Veitch as a wholly unreliable witness.

He said Mr Molloy was acting as a peacemaker and no threat to anyone, while Veitch’s earlier boast showed he was aware of his punching power from his boxing training.

He said Veitch had lined Mr Molloy up, moving in a semicircle around him while bouncing on his toes like a boxer before touching his arm and delivering the unexpected punch without warning as the victim turned his face. It was an extremely hard blow delivered in a split second like a professional boxer.

“That blow was as cowardly as it was unlawful and Andy Molloy dropped like a stone,” he added.

Mr Molloy’s family and friends turned out in force during court hearings, wearing T-shirt tributes bearing his face.

Alaric Bassano, defending, said Veitch, the son of a former boxing champion was remorseful and acknowledged he had taken another person’s life and caused devastation. He said it was out of character: friends described him as a hard-working, dependable, honest young man who did not seek to get himself into trouble and had been chastened by the experience.

But the judge said he regarded Veitch as a dangerous offender and also gave an extended license of three years, which means he could be recalled to prison if he misbehaves after his release.

Senior investigating officer Andy Tattersall said the police and family were pleased with the sentence. He said they would never know why Veitch, who was looking for trouble that night, had picked on Mr Molloy.

He described the punch as “a vicious attack on a innocent, defenceless man”.