An “absolute idiot” who punched a millionaire banker to death in the street over a misunderstanding before fleeing in a rickshaw has been jailed for three years and nine months.
Paul Mason, 52, CEO for Qatar National Bank, was accused of stealing a mobile phone by Steven Allan, 35, after enjoying a meal at The Ivy in London, in December 2020.
The victim was knocked to the ground, and as he tried to get up Allan hit him with an uppercut causing his skull to hit the pavement.
The Old Bailey heard Allan, who had been drinking, shouted at the motionless Mr Mason: "Where's your fight now?"
Allan later fled the scene on a rickshaw, the court heard.
He later died and Allan admitted manslaughter, but denied murder and was cleared of the more serious charge by an Old Bailey jury following a retrial in January.
Today Judge Michael Topolski jailed Allan for three years and nine months.
The court today heard more tragedy hit the family when Mr Mason's brother Simon took his own life as a result of his sibling's death.
Allan told jurors it was a "tragic accident", adding: “I was an absolute idiot, I don't know how I jumped to such a wrong conclusion at the time but I did.”
Speaking after sentencing, Mr Mason's family said they were "immensely disappointed" Allan was not handed a life sentence, adding: "We really hoped he would get a life sentence, but we must try to accept the jury's decision.
"At least he will be imprisoned for killing Paul and we can start to move forward a little.
"Words cannot express how traumatised and distressed we were when we were told about the attack on Paul, a senseless act of violence on an entirely innocent man simply making his way home from an evening out with friends. "
Earlier Mr Mason's sister Rachel Mason had stared at Allan as she read her victim impact statement, while Allan stared at the floor.
She said: “You Steven Allan violently attacked and killed my brother and have left me broken and devastated.
“You've broken my family for evermore. I'm overwhelmed with feelings of shock, disbelief, and hatred toward you. How dare you take Paul's life?
“I just can't comprehend someone doing this to another human being, especially someone I loved so much.
“Watching the CCTV in court, the horrific violent attack on Paul, and how he tried to escape you, will haunt me forever.
'You've shockingly been out on bail to enjoy your life. You've had the luxury of time with your family while we, due to Covid, could only see Paul on FaceTime while he was lying in a coma for weeks, in hospital for over four months.
'We ultimately watched Paul die as the brain damage you caused took his life and the life support was withdrawn.
“His previously fit and healthy body wasted away in front of us over three days. All we could do was watch him die.
“My brother Paul was a remarkable, kind, decent, gentle soul who was so successful in every aspect of his life, highly regarded in his international banking career, loved dearly by his family.”
The court earlier heard how Mr Mason had put a female friend in a black cab after spending the night at the Ivy when he was confronted by Allan.
Allan, who had been drinking with a colleague, marched across the road to him and tried to grab his phone.
Mr Mason tried to continue his journey but Allan followed him and punched him with his right fist, knocking him to the ground.
Jane Bickerstaff, KC, prosecuting, described it as a sustained violent attack involving three punches.
She added: “This is more than a one-punch manslaughter, there is at least three punches that can be seen on the footage.
“The defendant wanted a fight and was frustrated the victim was not putting up a resistance.”
William Boyce, KC, defending, said the first punch was actually a push, and Allan had only punched Mr Mason once if at all.
He said that in all other aspects of his life, Allan was friendly, helpful, supportive and not violent or confrontational in any way.
Mr Mason's father, Ian Mason, said in a statement read to court: “My life and the lives of my family have been changed forever as a direct result of that brutal attack on Paul.
“Paul was very much a family man at heart and although he did not yet have children of his own he kept in constant touch with his nieces and godchildren.
“My son Simon was devastated his brother had been murdered and it led him to start drinking again which led to him passing away. He had been in a recovery centre and had come out and was living happily and seeing his son regularly.
“I know nothing will bring my sons back to us but I hope a violent thug will be taken off the streets so he can't ruin another family's life as he has ruined ours.”
