CCTV footage captured the moment Connor Hulse issued the fatal blow with a knife to the head of Tom Gaughan when their paths crossed by chance on the streets of Cleethorpes. Neither was known to each other as the violent encounter escalated into murderous rage at 7.30pm on July 21 last year.
There were lots of people out socialising on the Friday evening in Cleethorpes. Tom, a fish supply business employee who had worked on Grimsby docks for over 15 years, was out enjoying an evening with his friend. Closed circuit television footage from a number of bars was also compiled into a timeline by Detective Constable Lister of Humberside Police to show where the individuals had been drinking and "behaving in a way consistent with being intoxicated" as the prosecutor Sam Green KC told the murder trial at Grimsby Crown Court.
READ MORE: Keep up to date with all the latest crime and court news from Grimsby and Scunthorpe with our free newsletter Family's tribute to 'fun loving' and devoted father Tom Gaughan after his killer is found guilty of murder Hulse, 22, of Chester Walk Grimsby was stood with his girlfriend, Gabrielle Hough when Tom, 32, and his pal Jack Kitchen walked past. A rude remark directed by Kitchen towards his girlfriend led Hulse to shout verbal abuse at the two men. Daniel Champion had been drinking with Hulse and Hough and he joined in the violent exchange.
Within 90 seconds, Champion had been kicked unconscious by Kitchen and Hulse drew a lock knife from his waist.