R v Gregory Anthony Twigg

Facts

At around 11.30 pm on 24 June 2022 Lee Woodward left the Liquor Vaults public house in Stoke-on-Trent and walked down Trade Street. The appellant, Gregory Twigg, was a passenger in a Vauxhall Astra driven by Nathan Lockley which arrived at speed at the junction with Hill Street, and words were exchanged through the car window. After the car parked, Mr Lockley approached Mr Woodward and, as the two men spoke, the appellant got out and punched Mr Woodward in the head three times, the third blow — landed despite others trying to stop him — knocking him to the ground, where he struck his head and suffered a contrecoup injury. The appellant also punched or pushed Mr Woodward's fiancée, Kate Griffin, and then left in the car. On 25 July 2022 in the Crown Court at Stoke-on-Trent the appellant pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent contrary to section 18 of the Offences against the Person Act 1861 and to common assault, and was sentenced to an extended sentence of 11 years and three months. Mr Woodward died of his head injuries on 26 April 2023 and the appellant was charged with murder. He was convicted at Stafford on 10 July 2025 and appealed by leave of the single judge.