Man admits manslaughter - Dereham

A 41-year-old man has admitted causing the death of a man in Dereham in July.

Tyrone Busch, aged 41, of St Withburga Lane, Dereham appeared at Norwich Crown Court today (Thursday 12 December 2024) and pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of 31-year-old Michael O’Dwyer, also known as Michael Spooner.

It comes after paramedics were called to an address in Dereham at around 5am on Sunday 21 July following reports that a man was unwell and could not be roused.

He was taken to the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital where he sadly died later that evening.

Police were notified of the man’s death on Tuesday 23 July 2024 and enquiries revealed a serious assault had occurred outside the Red Lion Public House in Dereham on Saturday evening, 20 July.

A murder investigation was launched and Busch was subsequently arrested and charged with murder.

At a crown court hearing the manslaughter plea was accepted by the prosecution.

The court heard Busch and the victim were sitting together drinking outside the Red Lion pub when without warning Busch got to his feet and delivered a forceful punch to the victim causing him to fall backwards.

Following the entirely unprovoked attack Busch then sat back down and finished his drink making no attempt to help the victim and then left the scene while the victim lay on the ground for around ten minutes.

The victim did eventually get to his feet and, with the help of friends, made his way home.

In the early hours of Sunday his friend became concerned when he was unable to wake him and called the ambulance service.

A Home Office post-mortem examination concluded the cause of death was a traumatic head injury which would have evolved over the subsequent hours.

After a police manhunt Busch was found hiding in a toilet cubicle at the Beeston Ploughshare Public House on Wednesday 24 July.

Michael’s family described him as a kind and gentle soul who always saw the best in people and wanted the best for them.

In a statement they added: “He is greatly loved by his family and his many, many friends and that love will always remain.

"Michael adored his two sons and has been taken from them far too soon.”

Sentencing was set for 24 January 2025.