Dad of five killed in vicious attack in pub garden leaving family heartbroken

Dad-of-five Carl James, 42, was tragically killed when he was punched and headbutted by 26-year-old Curtis Tudor at the Jack and Jill pub in Middlesbrough on May 11

A dad-of-five was killed in a vicious attack in a pub garden after the pair "exchanged words" earlier in the day, a court heard.

Carl James, 42, was punched and headbutted by Curtis Tudor, 26, who then used "a right hook" on his victim as he lay on the ground on May 11. Shortly before the fatal attack, Tudor had told the victim "get away, get away from me" before telling him to "f*** off", the court was told.

Tudor was pulled off Mr James by other drinkers and he sat away as they tried to administer first aid at the Jack and Jill pub, in Crossfell Road in Berwick Hills, Middlesbrough. The attacker was heard to say: "F*** this, I'm going."

Two double-crewed ambulances arrived minutes later at around 6pm. Mr James sadly died three days later James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough. He had suffered a brain haemorrhage in the attack, Teesside Live reports.

Tudor, who had admitted manslaughter at an earlier hearing, appeared at Teesside Crown Court on Thursday. Mr Jones' brother, Anthony, broke down as he talked about the victim's five children; and how "there will be no trip to Lapland this Christmas" for Carl's youngest son.

Anthony said that an older son had described his dad as "the best man who walked the Earth." He told the court that Carl was affectionately known as 'Frank' or 'Frankie' because he used to dress up as Frankenstein when he was little, on float day at Pallister Park community centre.

"Carl was a much-loved member of a large family. He was very loving and not afraid to show it," Anthony said, breaking down in tears. "He'd do anything for anyone - he had a heart of gold."

Mr James's family sat in the public gallery as Dan Cordey, mitigating, told the court that Tudor was "remorseful" and that "there is a significant gap between Mr Tudor's intentions and the consequences of his actions." Tudor was remanded back into custody ahead of receiving his sentence on Friday, November 29.