Boy, 16, admits manslaughter of man who he tripped up in the street

Nov 02, 2023

A teenager who tripped a 62-year-old man in the street – causing him to hit the pavement and then suffer a heart attack – has admitted manslaughter.

The 16-year-old boy ran up to Jerald Netto, put his foot between his legs and swept him off his feet in Hanwell, west London, on 19 March.

Mr Netto, from Southall, immediately fell forward and suffered a heart attack from the trauma of hitting the pavement.

Paramedics went to the scene in Boston Road and Mr Netto was taken to hospital – where he died later that day.

The teenager was arrested and charged with Mr Netto’s murder.

However, on Thursday, during a hearing at the Old Bailey, in London, the boy pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter.

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The youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, due to his age, is set to be sentenced on 12 January next year.

Judge Rebecca Trowler KC warned the defendant that he should prepare for a custodial sentence.

She said: “I am aware that the defendant has admitted responsibility for the physical act from the outset and so the only factor that has changed today in legal terms is causation has been accepted on his behalf and therefore plea has been entered.”

Prosecutor Louise Oakley said the victim’s relatives in court wanted time to “reflect” on the youth’s plea and to prepare a statement on the impact of Mr Netto’s death on them and their wider family.

On the boy’s responsibility for what happened, Ms Oakley submitted that Mr Netto died “as a result of an unlawful act which involved an intention to cause harm or recklessness as to whether harm was caused”.

The boy was remanded back into local authority accommodation with “stringent conditions” ahead of his sentencing.

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