A teenager who started performing Gangnam Style in a corner shop was killed by an Asian boy who perceived his dancing as ‘racist’, Manchester Crown Court heard today.
Jordan Brennan, 17, had broken into the dance made famous by South Korean artist Psy whilst in high spirits – but it enraged the other lad, 16, who was shopping in the store and thought his south east Asian ethnicity was being mocked.
After claiming Jordan bumped into him as he spun round, the 16-year old attacker who was with his girlfriend tried to stop the victim and ordered him to apologise but the pair became involved in a tussle.
As they struggled near the doorway, Jordan fell back and hit his head on metal shutters outside the shop in Gorton before hitting his head on the concrete floor below. The attacker then kicked him in the legs before returning to his shopping.
College student Jordan got to his feet and walked home not realising he had suffered a fatal head injury in the bust up. He was found lifeless in bed at 9am the following morning when his mother Kim tried to raise him for breakfast.
Tests showed he he had suffered a fractured skull and bleeding on the brain. Today at Manchester Crown Court, the killer, now 17, but who is too young to be named, admitted manslaughter after his not guilty plea to murder was accepted.
The tragedy occurred at around 7.30pm on Friday October 10 when Jordan, who attended Manchester College, and was described as a ‘polite, very bubbly, happy-go-lucky type of lad’ was with two friends.
They went into the N.A Grocer shop on an errand but inside he began doing the Gangnam Style dance and within 17 seconds there was a ‘flashpoint’ between him and the other teenager.
Prosecutor Rob Hall said: “On one view, that is Jordan being in high spirits and exuberant and dancing to a popular current song, and on another view, and the view held by the defendant, is that the performance was a racist slur against him because of his appearance and ethnicity.
“The Crown would simply say the evidence is inconsistent as to the motivation of Jordan at the time. We understand why the defendant reached the conclusion that he did.”
Mr Hall made clear that it was never a case where the attacker had any intention to kill, however he may have intended to cause serious harm.
The boy accepts challenging Jordan and kicking him while he lay on the ground, it was said.
He maintains he didn’t have any idea that Jordan’s injury would be serious until he saw media coverage and realised he was the subject of a manhunt and subsequently turned himself in.
Reading his basis of plea, defence barrister Kate Blackwell QC said: “The defendant accepts committing the unlawful act that led to the death. The deceased made remarks on the appearance of the defendant that he found racist in tone.
“They were making him embarrassed and angered him in front of his girlfriend.”
It emerged he then followed Jordan out of the shop when he had his back to him in an attempt to force him to look at him and apologise, it was said.
She added: “The defendant made contact with the deceased as he spun around and pulled and pushed him. The movement appeared to be the defendant punching towards him but none connected.
“The deceased banged against the metal shutters and fell to the floor. He banged the left side of his head on the concrete pavement. The defendant continued to argue with him and kicked him in the leg in anger at his refusal to apologise.”
Originally due to stand trial in April, the smartly-dressed attacker remained emotionless as he was told he would be sentenced in March pending the preparation of pre-sentence reports.
The boy has now been bailed under strict conditions, including a condition that he remain at a specified address and does not apply for travel documents.
He will be sentenced on March 18.
Judge David Stockdale QC told him: “The fact I have granted you bail does not provide an indication of the type of sentence I may pass. What I mean by that is the fact that you have been on bail does not mean that you won’t receive an immediate custodial sentence.”
At the time of Jordan’s death, his father Nigel Hatton said: “We’ll always remember his smile and his loveable face. He was always very happy, always smiling. At school he was a very good friend and he always listened to his mates. His two passions were BMXing and fishing.
“We can’t describe the impact it’s had on us. We’ve lost our son at 17, and we didn’t expect to. If someone you love falls in or gets old, then you can start to take stock of things – but we never got a chance. You see this happen in the news to other people, but you don’t expect it to happen to you.”
In a statement, Jordan’s mother said: “Our son Jordan Brennan was 17 years old and was a well liked young man. He was a loveable rogue and was always polite and keen to help anyone who needed his help, be that physical help or just to listen to a friend.
”He would cheer them up with his usual larking about or joking around. He was a pleasure to have as a son and his loss is devastating. He was greatly loved by all that knew him.”
Story via Cavendish Press.
Image courtesy of Google Maps and Facebook, with thanks
