A 33-year-old man from Chatham, Kent, died in hospital after suffering two assaults within three days—incidents that left him with a severe brain injury and ultimately resulted in a manslaughter conviction.
Josh Ingram, described by loved ones as gentle and good-humoured, passed away on April 2, 2024, after doctors at King’s College Hospital made the difficult decision to withdraw life support. His death followed a series of events that began when he was first assaulted by another man, leaving him with a subdural hematoma—a dangerous collection of blood between the skull and the brain.
Despite medical concerns raised after the initial attack, Josh encountered further violence just days later. On April 1, he crossed paths with John Farmer, 33, who knew him only casually. According to prosecutors, Farmer delivered punches that placed Josh at a “significantly increased risk” of catastrophic brain damage, even though experts could not say with certainty whether Farmer’s actions alone caused the fatal deterioration.
Farmer denied ever touching Josh and claimed the two shared only a brief conversation. However, witness testimony—including that of Josh’s friend Mark Crane—contradicted his statements. After around three hours of deliberation, a jury found Farmer guilty of manslaughter.
Farmer has been remanded as he awaits sentencing, expected to take place in January. Addressing him in court, Mrs Justice Norton said his punishment would be “measured in years,” reflecting the seriousness of the offence.
A second man, Shane Norley, who was charged in connection with the earlier assault on Josh, was acquitted after the jury found insufficient evidence to convict him.
At the time of the incidents, Josh was living in accommodation for single homeless adults and had spent the evening before drinking with a friend. Witnesses said he appeared increasingly unwell shortly before the encounter with Farmer.
Josh’s family has spoken openly about their grief. His sister, Carly, said the loss had been “indescribable” and praised her brother as “kind-hearted, old-fashioned and humorous”—a man whose absence has left a profound impact on those who knew him.
Source:Africa Publicity
