[LeatherTrumpet]

Mr Mason was on his way home when his dunken attacker assaulted him in the
mistaken belief that he had stolen his friend’s phone



An electrician who drunkenly killed a “kind and gentle” banking executive in a
row over a mobile phone outside an Ivy restaurant in London will spend less
than a year in prison.

Steven Allan, 34, was mistakenly convinced that 52-year-old Paul Mason, a
boss at Qatar National Bank, had stolen his friend’s mobile phone when he
attacked him in West Street, Soho in December 2020.

Mr Mason was on his way home, after dining with a friend at The Ivy, when
he was set upon by his attacker, who punched him three times.

He fell backwards and banged his head on the ground. Despite being taken to
hospital, he never recovered from his injuries and died six months later.

Allan, a site manager at a construction project, admitted manslaughter, but
was acquitted of murder.


Paul Mason, a boss at Qatar National Bank, never recovered from his injuries

In a victim impact statement, Mr Mason’s sister, Rachel Mason, said their
brother, Simon, died of an overdose only three months after the tragedy.

She said: “You’ve broken my family for ever more. I’m overwhelmed with
feelings of shock, disbelief and hatred towards you. How dare you take Paul’s
life?

He was sentenced to three years and nine months in prison, but is likely to
be released in less than a year, having spent time on curfew awaiting trial.


Judge Michael Topolski KC said: “I’m well aware the sentence I’ve just passed
will seem like nothing to [Mr Mason’s] family.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/202...killed-banker/

[joeysteele]

People with financial crimes get even more years at times in prison.

Commit violence, you could get a more lenient one.
The whole justice system needs overhauling.

This sentence is both confusing and insulting as to the murder of this poor victim.