Pictured: The three men jailed for killing 21-year-old Sam Wilson
These are the three men been jailed for a total of 17 years and ten months for killing Sam Wilson, 21.
Linden Lee Smith, Jack Alexander and Robbie Mark McHale were sentenced at Leeds Crown Court on Friday (April 10) after they were convicted of manslaughter by a unanimous jury a day earlier.
The three men were also found guilty of assault causing actual bodily harm to Henry Smith.
Road to tragedy
In the early hours of Saturday, October 11, 2014, Sam and his friend, Henry Smith, 20, were walking to a club in York city centre after they had been to a 60th birthday party at Huntington Working Men’s Club and the nearby Flag and Whistle pub.
They had decided to walk as their group was too large to fit in one taxi and the wait for an extra cab was too long.
As they reached Haxby Road, they encountered Linden Smith, Alexander and McHale, who had been drinking in the Castle Howard Ox pub. The two groups exchanged words and the defendants attacked Sam and Henry.
Sam was knocked unconscious and was left lying in the middle of the road, where he was hit by a taxi which had no chance of stopping before it reached him.
Linden Smith, Alexander and McHale fled while passers-by stopped to try and help Sam but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Jail sentences
Alexander, aged 21 and of Fox Covert, York, was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment.
McHale, aged 20 and of Fifth Avenue, York, was sent to prison for five years and six months.
Linden Smith, aged 20 and of Kirkham Avenue, York, was jailed for five years and four months.
All three offenders were given a nine month jail sentence to run concurrently for the assault on Henry Smith.
Detective Chief Inspector Paul Sweeting, of North Yorkshire Police, said:
The violent and totally unnecessary actions of Linden Smith, Jack Alexander, and Robbie McHale last October have left Sam’s family and friends understandably devastated.
Although nothing can bring Sam back, I hope his family can take some comfort from the fact that the people responsible for his death have been convicted and are now facing long prison sentences.
‘Loving, gregarious and wonderful’
Sam’s family issued this statement after the trial.
A bricklayer by day and a barman by night, he worked hard but also enjoyed sports and team activities. He was well known for his infectious smile and cheeky nature – Samuel loved life.
The family would like to take this opportunity to thank all the agencies for all their hard work bringing this to trial and all the love and support we have received through this very emotional and difficult time.
Well, they didn’t kill him did they? He was left unconscious in the road and was run over. Loads of tools go out, get leathered and then get into fights, in this one instance there was a particularly unlucky conclusion.
I don’t know the specifics but I find it hard to imagine how a taxi could hit a person lying in the road unless the driver was not paying attention. Straight stretch of road, street lights, 30mph limit, approaching blind summit with speed bump on the other side.. But like I say, I don’t know the specifics.
disgusting little shits, tragic and a waste of life
Absolute scum they don’t deserve to have a life after taking one, I hope they rot in prison.
They won’t be quite so hard when Big Barry from B wing comes looking for a new girlfriend!
Absolutely disgusted by the shortness of the sentencing. Absolutely pathetic. That isn’t justice. The judge should hang their head in shame.
What is very sad is that in reality they only serve half the sentence imposed by a judge imprisoned.
I cannot understand why the sentence given the guilty should not suffer that time in jail. My thoughts go to Sam’s family.
Sentences seem far too short.
They are not men they are scum that go around in there little gang looking for trouble, hope they rot for what they have done.
Scum !
Not long enough if you ask me!