Glenda Brown said her ex-husband’s death left a “huge hole for all the family” and set out the profound physical and mental impact the incident has had on her son Owen
A Co Tyrone man involved in a machete attack which contributed to the death of a 53-year man was jailed for two years today.
Deon Fullen attacked Owen Brown with a machete on the evening of October 16, 2022 and after witnessing this, Owen’s father Paul Brown suffered a heart attack comforting his wounded son.
Belfast Crown Court heard the father and son had been out in Omagh celebrating Paul Brown’s birthday in the hours prior to the fatal incident.
Fullen, 23, from Springdale in Dungannon, was initially charged with the manslaughter of Paul Brown and the attempted murder of Owen Brown.
Following a review of the case, Fullen was re-arraigned this June when he pleaded guilty to a charge of causing Owen Brown grievous bodily harm with intent.
As a result, the Crown left the charges of manslaughter and attempted murder ‘on the books.’
Fullen was back in court on Friday where he was handed a four-year sentence for the single charge by Madam Justice McBride who divided the term equally between prison and licence.
On the evening of October 16, 2022 Paul Brown and his son Owen celebrated his birthday by having a few drinks at Glebe Bar in Omagh.
Whilst in the bar, Owen Brown and Fullen became involved in a physical altercation and following the fight, Fullen left the bar and went home.
The father and son walked two miles to Fullen’s home with the intention of confronting him and after an initial conversation at the property with Fullen’s father, Fullen emerged from a nearby location armed with a machete.
He started swinging the weapon at the Browns before striking Owen Brown several times which it.
Fullen administered several blows with the machete resulting in a laceration to Owen Brown’s head as well as wounds to his left wrist and right hand.
One eye witness observed one of the wounded man’s fingers was almost severed off and only hanging by the skin.
In the direct aftermath of the machete attack, Owen Brown ran to the nearby house of a friend and asked for an ambulance to be called.
His father Paul followed his son to the property and as he was comforting his wounded son on the doorstep, the 53-year old collapsed and suffered a heart attack.
Despite the best efforts of first responders at the scene and medical staff, he was pronounced dead at 1.29am on October 17th.
During today’s sentence hearing, Madam Justice McBride said the prosecution have accepted it was “not possible to prove that Paul Brown’s reaction to the attack on his son was a substantial cause of the cardiac arrest which caused his death.”
She added: “It is agreed between the parties that Paul Brown’s reaction to the attack on his son played a role in the development of the cardiac arrest.”
Owen Brown was taken to Altnagelvin Hospital before being transferred to the Ulster Hospital where he underwent extensive surgery to his left wrist and right hand.
Madam Justice McBride noted that despite the efforts of the Crown, he has not provided a victim impact statement or updated medical reports as he found the process too stressful.
Following the machete attack, Fullen was arrested and taken to Omagh PSNI station.
He told police he had been assaulted by Owen Brown in the bar and had been drinking but refused to answer any further questions.
Madam Justice McBride said she had read and considered statements made by Paul Brown’s ex-wife and his partner.
In her statement, Glenda Brown said her ex-husband’s death left a “huge hole for all the family” and set out the profound physical and mental impact the incident has had on her son Owen.
The deceased’s partner Michele McCauley spoke of the life-changing consequences his death has had on her.
Turning to Fullen, Madam Justice McBride said he had expressed remorse and insight into the actions of his offending and has a clear criminal record.
She also noted that despite his limited educational achievements, he had a good employment history and currently works as a scaffolder.
Regarding the incident, Madam Justice McBride said it was accepted by the Crown that the Browns “brought trouble” to Fullen’s door and that he may have initially armed himself for self-defence.
Adding that at the time of the incident “substances were a normalised aspect” of Fullen’s “weekend lifestyle”, Madam Justice McBride spoke of the “gravity” of his actions and the impact it has had on all those involved.
Addressing Fullen as he stood in the dock, Madam Justice McBride imposed the four year sentence and said: “I hope you will make good use of your time in custody to reflect upon what you have done and to reflect upon your use of substances … so that you can return and be a good citizen in the future.”
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