Tony Hoare Assailant Admits Manslaughter

In a short hearing today at London's Old Bailey, a man admitted the manslaughter of researcher Tony Hoare in Charlton Park on September 11th.

GLBT research specialist Hoare, aged 49, was attacked by Leslie Kingshott, aged 42, as he walked his Jack Russells, receiving a blow to the face which tore an artery at the base of his brain and led to a fatal swelling. Earlier that night Hoare had suffered homophobic abuse while drinking in the White Swan pub in Charlton village. He was found unconscious in the park and died shortly after being taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in nearby Woolwich (www.mrweb.com/drno/news7333.htm ).

The court heard that Kingshott, a Charlton resident, had also been convicted of racially aggravated assault in July. Prosecutor Jocelyn Edward accepted the plea on behalf of the Crown, and Judge Peter Beaumont adjourned sentencing until January 7 to give time for the preparation of a victim impact statement for Hoare's family and partner.

Defence lawyer Edward Henry said Kingshott was 'aware of the grief he has caused and has asked me to express his remorse to the siblings of Mr Hoare.'

Hoare founded and ran Stormbreak, an MR consultancy specialising in the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community, and had been researching homophobic crime for the Met Police. His partner Robert Bowen, aged 45, from Forest Hill, described Hoare as 'everything to me... my soulmate. He was so full of life, a brilliant, beautiful person.'

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.