Hooded youth, 16, admits killing Good Samaritan

By Jenny Booth, Times Online June 02, 2005

Gary Prescott, 16, broke a two-year ASBO given 10 days before he killed a Good Samaritan . He wore a blue Adidas hooded top at the brief hearing at Newcastle Crown Court where he pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Thomas Noble on April 24.

The 52-year-old victim was a hard-working father of five, who stepped in to stop a fight between teenage gangs, near his home in Moreland Street, Roker, Sunderland. Prescott hit him on the side of the head and he fell to the ground, striking his head on the pavement. He died from his injuries two days later at Sunderland Royal Hospital.

Chief Superintendent Jim Campbell of Sunderland Police said: "This ASBO has been breached in heartbreaking circumstances, but this does not mean it is an ineffective piece of legislation.”

"By prosecuting those who breach ASBOs it deters others either already subject to an ASBO or engaged in anti-social behaviour, by highlighting the potential consequences of their actions."

He said when teenagers get in trouble, the police"s first response was to write a letter to their parents, followed by a home visit if bad behaviour escalated.