Demiesh Williams could be seen calmly strolling back towards a Sainsbury’s before carrying out a fatal attack on a dad near his home in Beckenham, southeast London
Chilling footage shows the moment a killer calmly strolled back towards a Sainsbury’s to fatally attack a dad after a row over cutting in line.
Demiesh Williams, 30, was today sentenced to five years and three months in prison over the death of “hard-working family man” Andrew Clark. The 43-year-old died from his injuries after Williams struck him with an open palm following an argument at a supermarket in Beckenham, southeast London.
Woolwich Crown Court heard Mr Clark had challenged the defendant when he tried to queue jump at the tills. Williams then left the store and went to a car but, as seen on CCTV, decided to go back and confront Mr Clark.
READ MORE: ‘He will never walk me down the aisle’ – daughter’s grief after dad killedWilliams killed Andrew Clark in an unprovoked attack(Image: Metropolitan Police / SWNS)
The court was told the attacker then slapped his victim with an open hand, causing him to fall to the ground. Mr Clark died three days later of his injuries, after being declared brain dead. Williams later pleaded guilty to manslaugter and was jailed this morning. His Honour Judge Andrew Lees said: “Andrew Clark was 43 at the time of his death. He was a hard-working family man.
“I have heard heartfelt statements read to the court by Andrew’s wife and his sister. What the family said in court brings home the magnitude of what has happened and the devastating loss and consequences of your actions.
“The family are dealing with unimaginable grief from which recovery is unlikely to ever be complete. By all accounts Andrew Clark was much loved, much respected, and will be much missed, and it should never have happened. Demiesh Williams, for the manslaughter of Andrew Clark the sentence of the court is five years and three months.”
Demiesh Williams was sentenced to five years and three months behind bars for the fatal attack on a dad(Image: CPS / SWNS)
“You will serve up to two thirds of that sentence in prison thereafter you will be released subject to licence conditions. If you breach your licence conditions you will be recalled to prison.” Mr Clark’s 14-year-old daughter previously told Williams that though he would one day walk free, he had “destroyed” her family in the “cruellest way possible”.
In a statement read to the court by her aunt, she said: “My dad was not just my dad. He was my best friend. We did everything together.
“You did this to my dad. My dad was the most generous man I know. I don’t want to live my life without him. You got to keep your family, while you destroyed mine in the cruellest way.” The court heard Mr Clark, a lifelong Newcastle United fan, had watched his club’s Carabao Cup victory on March 16 with his family at home in Beckenham.
Williams was captured on camera walking towards the Sainsbury’s in Beckenham(Image: CPS / SWNS)
Alistair Richardson, prosecuting, told the court the victim and his wife went to the Sainsbury’s near their home to buy some food for the following day after the match.
Mrs Clark then found her husband arguing with Williams at the tills afte had tried to cut in at the front, it was said. Witnesses described seeing Williams walk to his parked car, get something out, and return to the store with a face covering on as Mr Clark was leaving.
Mr Richardson continued: “Mrs Clark saw the defendant coming towards her husband. He was striding with intent – striding towards him.”
“He had a face covering on. He hit Mr Clark on the side of his head. All she could hear was the noise. He did not try to break his fall or anything. He was just knocked out.” Mr Richardson added that an experienced CCTV officer viewed the footage of the attack and deemed it a “slap” with an “open hand” rather than a punch.
Another witness, using a nearby cash machine, said he heard a “crack” as Mr Clark’s head hit the floor, followed by Williams saying: “I told you to f****** apologise”.
Mr Clark was rushed to the hospital but died three days later from a “catastrophic” brain injury. Williams, a dad-of-three himself, was later arrested at a house in Croydon, south London, and charged two days later. He denied murder, but later admitted a charge of manslaughter.
