Pearse Kavanagh, 46, punched Sarah McQueeney’s brother Philip so hard he caused a tear to his liver and internal bleeding. He has now been jailed for nine-and-a-half years
A violent bully killed his girlfriend’s frail brother when he tried to stop him attacking his sister, a court heard.
Pearse Kavanagh, 46, attacked Sarah McQueeney in front of her brother Philip, 40, punching her repeatedly in the face. Philip, who weighed just 7.5 stone and was in poor health, bravely told Kavanagh to get off his sister, prompting the thug to turn his violence on him.
He punched him then kicked him so hard he caused a tear to his liver and internal bleeding. Kavanagh, who was found guilty of manslaughter, has now been jailed for nine-and-a-half years at Newcastle Crown Court.
As Kavanagh, of Coldwell Terrace, Gateshead was locked up, Sarah said in a victim impact statement: “With the help of various professionals I’ve come to recognise I was the victim of domestic abuse. This culminated in the death of my brother, Philip and I worry the fallout will have everlasting implications for me and my son.
“I’m still living in the house where it happened and it’s a constant reminder of what happened.” Sarah, who has been sober for two years, added: “Philip and I were very close as children. He was my little brother and we both looked out for each other.
“His last words to me will haunt me forever. After we had both been assaulted by Pearse, he looked me in the eyes and said ‘get away from him, just go sis’. Philip, I’ve done that and I’m trying to make the best life for myself and my son, in your memory.”
Philip’s dad, also called Philip, added in his victim statement: “No father should ever have to attend the funeral of their youngest child and certainly not in the circumstances where their life is taken at the hands of a violent, coercive, controlling bully.”
The court heard Kavanagh had begun what was a controlling and abusive relationship with Sarah in 2019 and they had a son in 2021, Chronicle Live reported. By July 2022, Kavanagh was subject to bail conditions not to contact Sarah but he continued to attend her address and they were both abusing alcohol.
On July 19, Kavanagh and Philip had been drinking alcohol and Sarah later joined them at her home in South Shields, Tyne and Wear. Kavanagh was then said to have “flipped” and started shouting and swearing at Sarah and began punching her several times, causing her nose to bleed.
Philip tried to intervene and told him to “leave her alone, get off her”. Judge Paul Sloan KC said Philip, who was in poor health and extremely drunk, posed no threat to Kavanagh even if, as he claimed, he had picked up a bottle.
Kavanagh punched Philip then kicked him. The judge said: “I’m satisfied you delivered two kicks to him, as he lay cowering, to the abdomen with significant force.” He then left the scene before sending Sarah threatening messages signalling to her what she should say to absolve him of criminal responsibility.
Philip had suffered fractures to four ribs and internal tears, including to his liver, leading to internal bleeding. His condition deteriorated and he died. Sarah was left with two black eyes, an injured nose, a cut and swelling to her lip, bruising to her face and a tender jaw. Kavanagh had pleaded guilty to assaulting her and denied manslaughter but was convicted by a jury. Robin Turton, defending, said Kavanagh is an alcoholic and is trying to improve himself.
For confidential support, call the 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Freephone Helpline on 0808 2000 247 or visit womensaid.co.uk. If you or your family have lost a friend or family member through fatal domestic abuse, AAFDA (Advocacy After Fatal Domestic Abuse) can offer specialist and expert support and advocacy. For more info visit www.aafda.org.uk