Killer Kick In Alcohol

Newcastle Herald

Thursday December 18, 2008

By PAUL MAGUIRE

SUPREME Court judge Megan Latham wants people involved in the Newcastle pub and nightclub scene to take heed of William Nicholas Charles Pocock's behaviour.

Justice Latham sentenced Pocock yesterday to a minimum of 14 years and nine months' jail for an "entirely senseless" murder in which he punched a man to the footpath then kicked and stomped his head.

"General public deterrence is a particularly important factor in the imposition of this sentence," she said.

"The Newcastle community has recently taken steps to address the excessive consumption of alcohol, by young males in particular, after numerous reports of violence committed by intoxicated patrons of a number of local hotels and nightclubs.

"This offence serves to highlight the truly tragic consequences of combining alcohol with latent male aggression."

Pocock, 22, of Hinkler Street, Mayfield, pleaded guilty to murdering Darren Peachman in Harvard Close, Jesmond, on March 11 last year.

East Maitland Supreme Court was told Pocock left a Mayfield party about 11pm to go to Harvard Close, where his girlfriend's handbag had been stolen.

Having decided to investigate the theft, Pocock approached Mr Peachman, because he believed he had been acting suspiciously.

When Mr Peachman began to open bags he was carrying, Pocock punched him in the head, pushed him to the footpath, kicked and stomped his head several times and left.

Mr Peachman never regained consciousness. He was found by a taxi driver at 1am and pronounced dead soon afterwards.

Pocock, who admitted drinking a dozen bottles of beer and taking four ecstasy pills before the incident, has a history of alcohol-fuelled assaults and was on a bond for one at the time of the murder.

Describing the murder as a brutal, callous and cowardly attack, Justice Latham sentenced Pocock to a maximum 19 years and six months' jail.

© 2008 Newcastle Herald

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