Man found guilty of killing his neighbour in row over gate
Trevor Gocan, 57 from Covent Garden, has been convicted of mansalughter
A man has been convicted of killing his 74-year-old neighbour in a row over shutting a gate in Covent Garden.
A jury at Southwark Crown Court found Trevor Gocan, 57 of Odhams Walk, guilty of manslaughter over the killing of James O’Neill – known as Jim.
The assault occurred in Odhams Walk, close to both men’s homes, on Sunday, 6 October, 2024. The victim died in hospital almost a fortnight later, on Monday, 21 October.
"casual, thuggish violence will not be tolerated on London’s streets"
Detective Chief Inspector Wayne Jolley, from Specialist Crime South – who led the investigation – said: “Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Mr O’Neill, who lost a loved one in shocking circumstances.
“The killer acted disgracefully, punching and kicking his victim in full view of members of the public – among them children – on a busy Sunday morning.
“The jury’s verdict shows that casual, thuggish violence will not be tolerated on London’s streets. There was absolutely no excuse for Gocan’s conduct.”
Police and London Ambulance Service arrived at the scene following reports that a man had been assaulted in Odhams Walk. Mr O’Neill was treated at the scene for multiple injuries. He was taken to hospital, where doctors established he was suffering from a bleed on the brain.
Police learned that the assailant had gone into a nearby house. There they found and arrested Gocan, who turned out to be a resident at the address.
A post-mortem examination found that Mr O’Neill’s death was caused by complications from a traumatic brain injury and rib injuries resulting from the assault.
At interview, the defendant gave no comment. In court, he claimed he acted in self-defence when he attacked Mr O’Neill, following a row over gate.
Gocan has been remanded in custody ahead of sentencing at Southwark Crown Court on Thursday, 26 June.