Pair jailed after Northfield gym incident where man died

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TWO men have been jailed for their part in the death of a gym owner, who fell from a 10ft high walkway and died of his injures.

Today (Friday), after a two-week trial at Birmingham Crown Court, a jury found Thomas Powell, 48, from Northfield, guilty of manslaughter at. He was sentenced to six-and-a-half years in prison.

Mundeep Sahota, 21, from Weoley Castle, will serve 15 months behind bars after been convicted of affray for his involvement in the incident.

On July 9 last year Powell and Sahota went to the Dark Arts Gym above Northfield Market on the Bristol Road, with the intention of 'settling a dispute' with the owner David Hickman, 39.

A fight soon broke out between Powell and Mr Hickman and, after exchanging punches, they both toppled over the railings of the stairway behind the gym.

Mr Hickman broke his neck in the fall and was rendered paralysed on floor when Sahota kicked him between the legs.

Powell suffered broken ribs himself, and was taken to hospital where he was arrested, after he fled the scene driven away by Sahota.

David, who had a daughter and a step-son, was rushed to Birmingham's Queen Elizabeth Hospital, but, sadly, despite receiving extensive treatment from medical staff, he died less than a fortnight later on July 21.

Sgt Harry Man, from West Midlands Police' major investigation review team, said: "Today my thoughts go out to David's family, who have lost a son, brother and father to this senseless killing.

"I hope they can take some comfort that justice has been done today and start to rebuild their lives."

David's family expressed their fond memories of him.

"David lived his life with a passion for success and for his family.

"Every day we had with him was a gift.

"Nothing will ever fill the loss and emptiness we all feel from him being taken from us too soon, but now we can move on and remember how he lived and not how he was tragically taken from us.

"His love and his smile will always be in our hearts forever."

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