Full Breakdown
Pub Owner Killed by Punch in Lichfield; Defendant Faces Murder Trial
By Drooid · · How we work
In this breakdown
01
Core Incident
On May 24, 44-year-old publican Matthew O’Gara was attacked at the Ricco and Loren bar on Market Street in Lichfield. Billy Allison, 36, of Cropthorne Road in Shirley, Solihull, delivered a “very, very hard” punch to O’Gara’s neck that broke several cervical bones, split an artery supplying the brain, and caused a massive haemorrhage. O’Gara fell unconscious, never regained consciousness, and died two days later at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham. Shortly after, Allison struck O’Gara’s 65-year-old friend Adam Cooper, fracturing Cooper’s eye socket and nose and damaging a dental implant. CCTV footage showed the three punches were delivered within roughly six seconds.
02
Legal Proceedings
Allison has been charged with murder, manslaughter, and inflicting grievous bodily harm with intent. He has pleaded not guilty to murder and to the GBH charge against Cooper, but has admitted manslaughter and the GBH charge. The trial is being heard at Stafford Crown Court. Prosecuting barrister Tim Hannam KC described the assault as “completely unprovoked and senseless,” noting the force of the punch was loud enough to be heard over the bar’s sound system. He argued that Allison’s state—sleep-deprived, intoxicated, and having taken cocaine—did not excuse the fatal outcome. After the attack, the bar’s bouncer released Allison on the owner’s orders, allowing him to return to the scene before fleeing. Allison was later apprehended in the early morning at the Cathedral Hotel, where he had been staying with friend Ben Cullen.
Visual evidence
Images from the story
03
Medical Findings
Forensic testimony confirmed that the neck injury was “unsurvivable.” The broken cervical vertebrae and arterial rupture led to immediate cardiac arrest. Cooper’s injuries were classified as serious but non-fatal, consisting of facial fractures and dental damage.
04
Official Response
Stafford Crown Court officials noted the seriousness of the case, emphasizing the rarity of a fatal outcome from a single punch. Police statements indicated that investigators are reviewing bar security procedures, including the decision by the bouncer to release Allison. No comment was provided by Allison when questioned by police after his arrest.
05
What’s Next
The jury’s deliberations are scheduled to continue in the coming weeks, after which a verdict on the murder charge will be delivered. Should a conviction be returned, sentencing will consider the aggravated nature of the assault and the resulting death.