Cyclist, 23, punched widower, 78, to the floor

An elderly widower was punched to the floor and killed after he remonstrated with a cyclist for riding his bike on the pavement.

Retired engineer Michael Dawson, 78, pointed at Nathan Pilling and told him to get off his bike and push it after the younger man cycled near him on the footpath in Bury, Greater Manchester. 

But Pilling was so enraged at being told off by the grandfather that he swerved towards the victim, rested his bike alongside some railings and punched him in the head.

He struck the pensioner with such force that he had no opportunity to defend himself or break his fall, meaning he hit his head on the pavement and suffered fatal head injuries including a fractured skull.

Mr Dawson, described as a 'man of his generation who would say something if a rule was broken', died in hospital 11 days later.

Pilling, 24, a former banqueting chef of Bury was jailed for five years and four months after he admitted manslaughter at Minshull Street Crown Court, Manchester.

The tragedy occurred on August 2023 after Mr Dawson, who worked in South Africa and Namibia before moving back to the UK to enjoy his retirement, had attended a karaoke evening at The Bank pub in Bury.

Mr Francis McEntee prosecuting said: 'Staff there described him as happy and good natured throughout the evening but on his way home, Mr Dawson appears to have had the temerity to shout something to the defendant who was cycling along the street, which consists of something about cycling on a footpath.

'Mr Dawson was a very particular person, in that if a rule is broken he would say something. Sort of a man of his generation.

'The defendant's immediate reaction is to swerve across the road, leaning his bicycle against the railing and stand in front of Mr Dawson in, we say, an imposing and aggressive manner. This was a younger man standing over an older man.

'CCTV footage records the defendant on at least two occasions stepping away from Mr Dawson before returning a second time, at which he delivers the clear punch which laid out the 78-year-old.'

Pilling tried to flee the scene by cycling away but was chased by members of the public before he was intercepted by police and arrested.

Mr Dawson was taken to hospital with swelling to the back of his head but it was later discovered that he had a fracture to his skull and a bleed on the brain.

He was admitted into the intensive care unit, but his condition deteriorated and his life support machine was switched off on September 4.

A postmortem report concluded that his cause of death was head trauma accelerated from a fall as a result of an assault to the face

In interview Pilling refused to take responsibility for his actions and tried to suggest that Mr Dawson struck him and that his actions were in self-defence.

He claimed Mr Dawson was a 'little animated and he was gesticulating' and added: 'I took his actions as a threat and punched Mr Dawson'.

But in a statement, Mr Dawson's granddaughter, Natasha Fisch, said: 'Should the elderly have to stay inside to avoid being attacked in the street? Should they stay at home for fear of a 23-year-old coward should attack them?

'My grandad was the most wonderful person I have ever known. Grandad, or Gramps, was the father I never had. He was a good man with a big heart, he was generous, cared for others and went out of his way to help a stranger in need.

'The idea that someone so kind, gentle and caring would be on the receiving end of such violence and aggression is sickening and inexcusable.

'I feel like a piece of my heart is missing and the circumstances of his death makes my soul feel tortured.'

Mr Dawson's daughter, Jennifer Fisch said: 'How can an innocent man's life be taken away by the hands of another? I can't comprehend it, and I do not think I ever will.

'He was the most gentle, genuine, caring man with a sense of humour that had us crying with laughter. He was just the greatest dad and grandad.

'My last memory of my father was seeing him with all these tubes in hospital and watching him take his last breath and listening to his favourite song - Candle in the Wind by Elton John. He left us with a tear in his eye.'

In mitigation defence counsel Katy Appleton, said Pilling did not intend to cause the harm and that he 'overreacted'.

She said her client came from a 'difficult background,' and added: 'He expresses remorse and regret and has demonstrated victim empathy - he clearly feels guilt.'

In sentencing Judge Tina Landale told Pilling: 'Mr Dawson noticed you cycling on the path and pedestrian area and shouted something over to you. You swerved over towards him and confronted him.

'There was no need for you to do so. Even after dismounting and approaching him, you had the opportunity to walk away. Instead you punched him to his face so forcefully that you knocked him to the ground. Your violence was a gross over-reaction.

'It's right to observe that in reality, Mr Dawson posed no threat to you at all. The whole situation from the start to the tragic end was created by your antisocial and criminal actions.'

Senior investigating officer Phillip Reade said: 'This was a completely unprovoked attack which sadly took the life of a gentleman who was just enjoying a night out.

'I am extremely grateful to those members of the public who came to Michael's aid and helped to detain Pilling.

'It is very clear that Michael was a much loved family man and very popular who will be missed by so many.

'We have zero tolerance against violence and will do everything we can to make sure the instigators are taken off the streets and placed before the courts.'