17 November 2023 , 19:58
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A teen who murdered a "much-loved" elderly former soldier with one punch has been put behind bars.
The family of beloved victim Dennis Clarke, 82, say they "have just been left with a feeling emptiness" after he was fatally battered by 16-year-old Omar Moumeche. Now 18 years old, Moumeche felled the pensioner in May 2021 after an altercation in Derby bus station.
Mr Clarke was en route home from a shopping trip when he was struck, fell to the floor and hit his head, and then died nine days later in hospital. Judge Shaun Smith KC sentenced the defendant to two years in youth custody.
He told the court: “On May 6, 2021, the worlds of three young people and Dennis Clarke collided at what is now the Derbion centre directly opposite this crown court. Dennis Clarke lost his life and that he did, the jury decided Omar Moumeche, was as a result of a deliberate punch delivered in anger albeit momentarily. You could have walked away but you decided to get involved and shortly before you delivered the blow an 82-year-old man was surrounded by three youngsters and you struck him with a deliberate blow."
Following a re-trial in July, a jury at Derby Crown Court took four hours of deliberation to convict Moumeche of the manslaughter of Dennis Clarke who, along with two younger friends, followed the victim from the former Eagle Market to the bus station. The group of three then surrounded him close to the entrance to the toilets and Moumeche, a former Bemrose School pupil punched Mr Clarke who fell straight to the floor and hit his head, reports Derbyshire Live.
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The victim, who was on his way home from a shopping trip, suffered a fractured skull and died at the Queen’s Medical Centre, in Nottingham, nine days later. The sentencing hearing was read a victim impact statement made by Ricky Davey, the nephew of Mr Clarke.
CCTV capturing the moment Dennis arrived at Derby bus station (Derbyshire Police / SWNS)
Dennis being confronted by youths at Derby bus station (Derbyshire Police / SWNS)In it, he told how his uncle was a former soldier in the Sherwood Foresters regiment, a keen fisherman, loved dancing and "doted on his family". In the statement, he said: "It's going to take many years to come to terms with the devastating death.
“Uncle Dennis was a father and grandfather of the whole family. He was a committed Christian, attending the same church each Sunday, bible studies and choir practices. His death has left a hole in the lives of the whole family and we have just been left with a feeling of emptiness.
There will forever be an empty chair at Christmas and an empty place on the dancefloor." James Horne, mitigating, argued that his client, who has no previous convictions, could have his sentence adjourned as a doctor who assessed him concluded that, at the time of the offence, his client’s mentality was the one of a 13-year-old.
Former soldier Dennis Clarke (Ricky Davey)He said: “Dr (James) Laing says he would be overwhelmed in a secure setting and presents an increased risk of self-harm and he would need therapeutic support. Through his teenage years, he experienced a number of social, familial and cultural issues which have had an effect on his upbringing."
Detective Inspector Mark Shaw, who led the investigation into Mr Clarke’s death, said: “Our investigation was assisted by the capture of CCTV footage and many witness accounts, all of which were presented during the trial. The defendant claimed he acted in self-defence, and the jury on the balance and high threshold required refused to accept his version of events.”
“Dennis was a well-known and loved friend and family member. Dennis’ family were present throughout the hearings and have acted with absolute dignity both throughout the trial and including at the time the guilty verdict was returned and I thank them for that.”
Omar Moumeche, 16, has now been jailed for the sickening crime (Derbyshire Police / SWNS)DI Shaw added: “The tragic events of that day have had a devastating effect on both the families of Mr Clarke and of the defendant himself. Mr Moumeches’ actions in that moment will have lasting affects both short term whilst he is serving his custodial sentence, and post sentence as he tries to move forward.
“I hope that this case will demonstrate how important it is to stop and take a moment before resolving any matters and avoid resorting to the level of violence and the consequences seen here. I would like to express my thanks to the family of Mr Clarke for the dignity shown throughout the entire criminal process and hope they can look to move forward and now focus on their fond memories of Dennis.”