Dad with 'heart of gold' knocked out man who was exposing himself to families

Daily Mirror

12-07-2025

Richard Gathercole, 39, has been convicted of assault after knocking out a man who was exposing himself on a street in front of families with a single punch
A dad has been convicted of assault after punching a man who was exposing himself in the street in front of families. The victim suffered a fractured skull and a bleed to his brain after being knocked unconscious.
Richard Gathercole, 39, from Winterton, Scunthorpe, admitted assaulting the man while children and parents were in their front gardens and in the street. Sam McGee, prosecuting at Grimsby Crown Court, said a van had pulled up and two men got out to remonstrate with the victim before driving away. Gathercole, a father of three, challenged the man when he started exposing himself, and dealt a single blow to his face. The victim fell backwards and went unconscious.
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He was taken to the NHS Hull Royal Infirmary for treatment to a skull fracture and a bleed on the brain, reports Grimsby Live. Mitigating, Julia Baggs said Gathercole realised the injured man needed help and stayed by his side until he was taken to hospital.
She said Gathercole had handed himself into police the following day, and had show he was deeply remorseful. He worked for 12 years as a truck driver and latterly as a tree surgeon.
After reading letters from neighbours and friends, she said: "He is a committed family man, trustworthy and reliable with a heart of gold. Qualities that shone through."
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Sentencing Gathercole, Judge Woolfall said the blow had knocked him straight to the ground, and described it as "significant".
After a short stay in Hull Royal Infirmary he was transferred to Goole Hospital where he discharged himself after making "a remarkable recovery."
"People who do not know their own strength or catch someone the wrong way can end up killing people. That becomes one-punch-manslaughter. Mercifully there was a rapid recovery," the judge said.
He added the father had taken exception to the man exposing himself in front of children. He said it was a grave, life-threatening injury and a miracle it was not worse.
The judge imposed an 18-month prison sentence suspended for two years. He also ordered Gathercole attend 15 Rehabilitation Activity Requirement days.
After the hearing, Gathercole said: "I'm only human."