Killer who beat 67-year-old to death for telling child not to ride Lime Bike on the pavement is jailed for less than four years

A killer who beat a pensioner to death for telling a child not to ride a Lime bike on the pavement has been jailed for less than four years.Andre Wright-Walters, 38, punched James Gbadamosi, 67, in Balham, south-west London, on August 24 last year.He was hit twice in the face which led him to being knocked out onto the pavement and smashing his head.The 67-year-old was rushed to hospital but died two weeks later on September 5. Mr Gbadamosi had told a child off for cycling a Lime bike on the pavement before being confronted by a woman on the street, who made a call to her boyfriend Wright-Walters.Carla Brenton, 31, accused him of shouting at the child and when Wright-Walters arrived he said the victim was 'immediately aggressive' and feared he might be assaulted.The father-of-two denied the manslaughter charge but was convicted by a jury at Kingston-upon-Thames Crown Court. The judge denied the couple's version of events and sentenced the killer to five years and six months – but he will only have to serve three years and eight months in jail before he is released on licence. Andre Wright-Walters who beat a pensioner to death for telling a child not to ride a Lime bike on the pavement has been jailedProsecutor Ben Holt earlier said: ‘Mr Gbadamosi was with his partner outside Costa Coffee on Balham High Road and became upset about a young boy cycling a Lime bike on the pavement.‘He told him he shouldn’t be on the pavement and should be on the road and then had an exchange with a woman who said, “You think you’re a big man shouting at a child?”‘She walked away and sat down on a bench and made a telephone call. She called this defendant. Later Mr Wright-Walters walked to Balham High Road with a child on his shoulders.‘He put the child down on the pavement and confronted the deceased. Reference was made to the interaction with the woman and the child.‘The defendant punched and slapped Mr Gbadamosi, and then he punched him twice in the face, knocking him to the floor and he hit his head on the pavement.‘Mr Wright-Walters and the woman left the scene.‘Mr Wright-Walters and the woman were arrested on 27 August and, during a search of their home, cocaine was located.‘In interview, Mr Wright-Walters gave a prepared statement where he said the other man was immediately aggressive, getting into his personal space, and he thought he was going to be assaulted.‘He said the other man seemed to want a fight. He said he was walking backwards, and Mr Gbadamosi was walking towards him.‘He said the other man was much taller and he had not attended the area to fight anyone.’ Pensioner James Gbadamosi, 67, was rushed to hospital but died two weeks laterBut his partner, Ms Brenton, who phoned Wright-Walters shortly before the attack denied and was cleared of manslaughter.Defending, Laurie-Anne Power, KC, accepted the fatal blow to the pensioner was ‘excessive’ but added: ‘He was not someone who went out intending to hurt someone with no remorse.’‘He is clear from the message to his sister that he was struggling with what he had done.‘His sole concern and consideration has been for others, most pertinently set out in his letter to Your Honour where he sets out his remorse, the sadness he feels for the family and friends of Mr Gbadamosi.‘He sets out succinctly at the end of his letter, accepting fully that he took Mr Gbadamosi’s life. He will forever grieve someone he didn’t get to know, and for that he is truly sorry.’Passing sentence, Judge Rajeev Shetty said: ‘You have heard how your actions have caused a ripple of devastation to Mr Gbadamosi’s family.‘You have heard very moving and articulate statements read out by his husband and brother on behalf of his wider family. You now know, if you didn’t before, the impact of your actions.‘This was a 67-year-old man who might have looked a bit younger, but it would have been clear, despite that he might have been taller than you, that he posed no risk at all.’He said the child cyclist was posing a real danger to pedestrians and, by telling him off, ‘there was nothing at all unusual or egregious about Mr Gbadamosi’s behaviour.‘There was no shouting. It was nothing more than, as a witness put it, a grandfather giving stern words to a grandchild.‘Ms Brenton no doubt saw this going on and phoned you and decided to take action.’He said the jury’s decision to clear her of manslaughter was ‘understandable’ but added: ‘They did not know the words used by Ms Brenton.‘I am sure she was angry and wanted something done. I reject that she wanted comforting because she was distressed.‘You are not an evil man, but you did, you will appreciate, the most terrible thing that fateful day.‘Unfortunately, your objectivity and reason had been overridden by your anger, no doubt in part stoked up by your partner, Ms Brenton.‘The depressing thing about this was that violence was completely avoidable. You were protecting your partner, but that protectiveness did not call for violence on another person.In a tribute to the victim, James’ family said: ‘The family welcome the verdict and thank the police for their hard work in bringing those responsible to justice.‘James was a huge part of our family and his loss has left a void that can never truly be filled. He was loved by so many, especially his husband, who has lost his beloved partner and the future they had hoped to share together.‘An affable, funny, intelligent and caring man, James brought people together and had a genuine interest in others. He will be remembered for his warmth, humour, kindness and the countless friendships he made throughout his life.‘His death has changed our lives forever, and we will feel his absence in countless ways for the rest of our lives. We are deeply grateful to everyone who has offered support and sympathy during this difficult time. James was loved beyond measure and will never be forgotten. We will carry him in our hearts always.’