One-punch killer, 37, who left victim with fatal brain injury jailed

One-punch killer, 37, who left seven-stone victim with catastrophic brain injury after attacking him amid feud between neighbours is jailed for six years

• William Longworth, 37, punched Noel Reynold, 37, leaving him with catastrophic brain injuries
• Longworth was jailed for six years after pleading guilty to manslaughter 

A powerfully-built thug inflicted fatal catastrophic brain injuries on his ‘puny’ victim with a single punch before concocting a false alibi with the help of his girlfriend to attempt to avoid justice. 

Newcastle Crown Court heard that William Longworth, 37, had fallen out with victim Noel Reynold’s cousin and her family after an earlier incident in the street where they lived in North Shields. 

On December 10 2021,  Mr Reynold, 37, and his friend turned up to visit his cousin on the same street, Gunnerton Place – unaware she had moved. 

Longworth got wind of the fact he was there and despite being on bail banning him from entering the street went looking for Mr Reynold. 

After finding him, Longworth blocked his path and then felled the seven-stone victim with one punch, causing a catastrophic brain injury. 

William Longworth, 37, was jailed for six years on manslaughter charges 

Victim Noel Reynold’s suffered ‘catastrophic brain injuries’ after he was punched

William Longworth and Marie Office pleaded guilty to acts tending or attempting to pervert the course of justice at Newcastle Crown Court 

Longworth and his partner, Marie Office, 37, then concocted a false alibi saying they had been together all night. 

Now Longworth has been jailed for manslaughter while Office was given a suspended sentence for perverting the course of justice.

Newcastle Crown Court heard that during Mr Reynold and his friend were under the influence of alcohol but in ‘good spirits’ and they became aware the cousin no longer lived there on the night of the incident. 

The court heard there was ‘something of a background of bad blood between’ Longworth, who lived on the street and Noel’s cousin and her sisters. 

That came from an incident in July 2021 when there had been a gathering at the cousin’s home and there was a falling out. 

Police went to arrest Longworth at his home after that and he was drunk and headbutted two officers.

As a result of that incident, Longworth was on bail at the time of the attack on Noel with a condition to live at his father’s address and not to go to Gunnerton Place.

After finding his cousin’s home unoccupied, Noel and his friend were heading away from it towards a Metro station and were on Balkwell Avenue when Longworth and another man came the other way, crossing the street to confront him.

Longworth had discovered Noel was in the area as a result of a message sent to Office by someone. 

‘We heard it was one punch – we didn’t know how serious it was’ 

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.’

Sentencing him, Judge Paul Sloan KC said: ‘It’s perfectly clear you decided to confront him, heading in the direction of Gunnerton Place even though it was a condition of your bail that you were not to enter that street.

‘I’m satisfied you were the person looking for confrontation that night and you set off with an associate to locate Mr Reynolds. Having spotted him, you deliberately crossed the road and went straight up to him, blocking his path.

‘Having established his identity, without warning or any provocation whatsoever you punched him forcefully in the face. You are an extremely large and powerful individual and certainly by comparison to Mr Reynolds, who was puny, not that he even had a chance to defend himself.

‘The blow took him completely by surprise and was dealt with sufficient force to knock him straight to the ground, his head striking the pavement with an audible crack. 

‘He was immediately rendered unconscious and you made no effort whatsoever to come to his aid. 

‘Instead, having achieved your goal, you immediately fled the scene, running away, leaving him prostrate on the ground.

‘He was bleeding from his ear. He was convulsing. He had suffered a traumatic brain injury.’

His condition worsened and he had to have surgery to relieve pressure on his brain.

‘He then developed a chest infection and breathing difficulties and he died on January 3.

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

Police also found CCTV from their home had been deleted but they later admitted the truth.

Office received nine months suspended for 18 months with a four-month curfew between 7pm and 7am and a rehabilitation requirement

Longworth who has several previous convictions for assault pleaded guilty to manslaughter and he and Office both admitted doing acts tending or attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Longworth was jailed for six years while Office got nine months suspended for 18 months with a four-month curfew between 7pm and 7am and a rehabilitation requirement.

Stuart Graham, for Longworth, said: ‘There’s nothing more he wishes he could do than turn the clock back because of the grief he has caused the victim’s family. 

‘He is genuinely, deeply and sincerely remorseful for what he has done.

‘References do nothing but portray a man dedicated to his family for two decades and he has an exceedingly hard work ethic.’

Fiona Lamb, for Office, urged the court to suspend the prison sentence so that the couple’s three children were not left without both parents. 

She added: ‘She is remorseful and it’s genuine remorse. She understands how her actions have affected the deceased’s family and she deeply regrets it.’

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