A grieving widow has condemned Britain’s justice system after her husband was beaten to death by a queue-jumper in a Sainsbury’s supermarket, only for the killer to receive just over five years in prison. Andrew Clarke, 43, was attacked after challenging a man who pushed ahead of him in a checkout queue at a Sainsbury’s in Beckenham, south-east London. He suffered catastrophic brain injuries and died three days later in hospital.
His killer, Demiesh Williams, 30, admitted manslaughter and was jailed on Thursday, December 18, for five years and three months. He will be eligible for release after serving two-thirds of the sentence.
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Mr Clarke’s partner of 23 years, Cairistine Clark, who witnessed the attack, said “no justice was served”.
Speaking from her home, she said: “He won’t even serve three years in prison. It’s two Christmases and he’ll be out. He will be 32 when he gets out. It’s an absolute joke.
“What kind of message does this sentence give to violent criminals? We will carry this loss for the rest of our lives.”
The fatal encounter happened on March 16, just 15 minutes after Mr Clarke had watched his beloved Newcastle United win the Carabao Cup. “This is the best day of my life,” he told his partner before popping out to buy groceries for a Sunday roast.
Inside the supermarket, Williams, a bus driver, pushed ahead of the couple in the queue. When Mr Clarke challenged him, Williams threatened to “get him outside” before leaving the store.
Ms Clark said the man was “huge” and intimidating, adding that she felt so uneasy she tried to delay leaving the shop because of his threats.
Moments after they exited the store, CCTV showed Williams returning towards them wearing a black face covering. He struck Mr Clarke with an open-handed blow to the side of the head “like a gunshot”, she said.
The force of the slap sent Mr Clarke crashing backwards, with witnesses hearing a sickening crack as his head hit the concrete. The court heard he suffered devastating brain injuries and was later declared brain dead.
As Mr Clarke lay dying, Williams fled the scene, driving away with his young child in the car.
“I’m sure he died in my arms,” Ms Clark said.
Williams never apologised for his actions. Ms Clark also claimed members of his family appeared to smirk in court as the sentence was handed down.