The tragic incident unfolded outside the Dolphin and Anchor pub in Chichester, West Sussex, on a warm summer evening in June 2024, following a Euro 2024 football match between England and Denmark. Kieran Egan, a 30-year-old tiler from Sheffield, became embroiled in a heated altercation with a friend inside the pub. The argument spilled out onto the street, escalating into a physical confrontation. David Hallatt, a 57-year-old father of two, witnessed the unfolding brawl and, in a selfless act of good Samaritanism, stepped in to try and diffuse the situation, pleading with Egan to stop fighting. His intervention, however, ended in tragedy.
As Mr. Hallatt approached the two men, appealing for peace, Egan delivered a single, devastating punch to his face. The force of the blow sent Mr. Hallatt reeling backward, his head striking the pavement with a sickening thud. Witnesses described the sound of the impact as being louder than a gunshot. Mr. Hallatt lay motionless on the ground, never regaining consciousness. The pub manager, Jacob Carroll, likened the sound of the punch to that heard in a boxing match, a stark contrast to the usual scuffles he had witnessed in his years working in hospitality. Bar manager Kloee Worboyes echoed this sentiment, stating that it was the loudest punch she had ever heard, surpassing even the sounds of charity boxing events she had attended.
Emergency services rushed to the scene and battled to save Mr. Hallatt’s life, but their efforts proved futile. He was pronounced dead at the scene. A subsequent post-mortem examination confirmed the cause of death as a blunt force head injury, a direct result of the impact his head sustained upon falling to the pavement. The inquest revealed the devastating extent of the injury, a fractured skull and massive brain damage. Mr. Hallatt’s sudden and violent death left his family heartbroken and reeling from the shock.
Egan was arrested and charged with murder. CCTV footage captured the entire incident, providing chilling evidence of the fatal blow. During the trial, the jury was shown the distressing footage, witnessing Mr. Hallatt’s final moments. Witnesses testified to Egan’s agitated state and the sheer force of the punch that felled Mr. Hallatt. The prosecution argued that Egan’s actions constituted murder, emphasizing the devastating consequences of his single, violent act. The defense, however, maintained that Egan had not intended to kill Mr. Hallatt and that the tragic outcome was unintentional.
After deliberating the evidence, the jury ultimately acquitted Egan of murder but found him guilty of manslaughter. The verdict acknowledged that while Egan did not intend to kill Mr. Hallatt, his actions were reckless and directly responsible for his death. Egan, visibly shaken and weeping in the dock, was remanded in custody pending sentencing. His friend, Dyce Barnfield, who was also involved in the initial altercation, was cleared of all charges.
The tragic death of David Hallatt serves as a stark reminder of the devastating consequences that can arise from even a single act of violence. Mr. Hallatt’s selfless attempt to intervene in a fight cost him his life, leaving his wife and two young daughters to grapple with the immense grief of their sudden and unexpected loss. His family described him as a devoted husband and father, a man who lived for his family and enjoyed his work as a tiler. They expressed their profound sorrow at his violent and untimely death, emphasizing the gaping hole he left in their lives. His memory will forever remain in their broken hearts. The incident also highlights the dangers of intervening in physical altercations, underscoring the importance of prioritizing personal safety and seeking assistance from authorities when faced with potentially violent situations.
