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A man today admitted the
manslaughter of an Iraqi Kurd in an unprovoked
racial attack which sparked a high-profile
anti-racism protest.
Lee Mordecai, 26, of Bonymaen, Swansea, South Wales,
had previously denied murder and was set to be tried
before a jury later this month.
He appeared briefly at Swansea Crown Court today to
admit the lesser charge before the hearing was
adjourned for sentencing next month.
Mordecai killed refugee Kalan Kawa Karim, 29, with a
single blow in an attack which shocked the city’s
close-knit Kurdish community.
His death sparked a large anti-racism protest in
Swansea and led the authorities to divert new
refugees from the city in a bid to reassure
communities.
Mr Karim, who was married, was later flown back to
Iraq and buried in his native town of Dahuk, in the
north of the country, last October.
Paul Thomas QC, prosecuting, told the court today
the lesser charge of manslaughter had been put
forward after discussions with Mr Karim’s family.
Mordecai had attacked Mr Karim late in the evening
on September 5 last year, close to a pub in
Swansea’s Kingsway area. He died of his injury in
hospital.
Mr Thomas today described the violence as “cowardly,
underhand and racially motivated” and said Mordecai
had been drunk at the time.
He said the prosecution, police and family had been
ready to accept an admission of manslaughter for a
number of reasons.
“Firstly, there was only one blow, from a fist or
open hand, and there was no attempting a repeated or
second blow.
“There was no weapon involved and the death resulted
from increased pressure on the carotid artery in the
neck.”
He added Mordecai had been “intoxicated” at the time
and there was no evidence to suggest he had training
in martial arts or intended the fatal effect of the
blow.
“It would be a proper course here to accept a plea
of manslaughter. We have spoken with Mr Karim’s
family and they have concurred with it.”
Chris Vosper, defending, said that Mordecai had been
listed to stand trial for murder on January 31, a
charge he had repeatedly denied.
Discussions with the authorities and Mr Karim’s
family had only taken place over Christmas.
Mordecai was then ready to admit the lesser charge
which was put to him for the first time today.
“For the sake of explanation, the basis of the plea
is lack of intent,” Mr Vosper said.
Judge John Diehl QC adjourned the case for
sentencing which, he said, would be some time in the
first fortnight of February.
Mordecai was remanded in custody.
http://news.scotsman.com
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