Murder arrest over 1995 death of postman Andrew Batten

[TrueBlueTerrier]

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A man has been arrested on suspicion of murdering a postman who died 20 years ago after being punched in the head while waiting for a taxi.

Andrew Batten, 42, died in hospital after he was attacked at a taxi rank in Vicar Lane, Leeds, on 13 October 1995.

West Yorkshire Police said a 45-year-old man was in custody.

It comes after the force made a fresh appeal for information about the death last month.

Mr Batten, who lived in Beeston, had gone out after finishing work and was still wearing his Royal Mail uniform.

He was found on the pavement by an ambulance crew after an anonymous call and was taken to Leeds General Infirmary with a fractured skull. He died two days later.

He was believed to have been punched by a man, who was with a woman, in the taxi queue at the rear of the Victoria Quarter.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Man appears in court charged over death of Leeds postman 20 years ago

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A MAN has appeared in court charged with the unlawful killing of a Leeds postman 20 years ago.

Anthony John McDonnell, 45, appeared before magistrates in Leeds today charged with the unlawful killing of Andrew Batten.

Mr Batten died after being assaulted in Leeds city centre on Friday, October 13, 1995.

Father-of-four McDonnell, of Whitebridge Avenue, Halton, Leeds, appeared in the dock of the court wearing a blue t-shirt and jeans.

The heavily built, tattooed defendant spoke only to to confirm his name, age and address during a brief hearing and bail application.

The court heard Mr Batten, 42, died after being attacked while queuing for a taxi on Vicar Lane in 1995.

He was found on the pavement by an ambulance crew after an anonymous call but died from head injuries in hospital two days after the incident.

The court heard McDonnell handed himself in at Elland Road police station after recent police appeal for fresh information.

No pleas to the charge were entered and the case was committed to Leeds Crown Court, where he will appear for a preliminary hearing on November 20.

McDonnell was granted bail with conditions that he must live and sleep at his home address and be subject to curfew between the hours of 6pm and 6am each day.

He must also report daily to Elland Road police station.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Anthony McDonnell admits killing postman Andrew Batten in 1995 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-34884576" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


A man has admitted the manslaughter of a postman who died 20 years ago after being punched in the head.

Anthony John McDonnell, 45, of Whitebridge Avenue, Leeds, pleaded guilty at Leeds Crown Court.

Andrew Batten, 42, died in hospital after he was attacked at a taxi rank on Vicar Lane, Leeds, on 13 October 1995.

McDonnell was bailed until 7 January with Judge Tom Bayliss QC saying he should be under no illusions what the sentence will be.

Mr Batten, who lived in Beeston, had gone out after finishing work and was still wearing his Royal Mail uniform.

He was found on the pavement by an ambulance crew after an anonymous call and was taken to Leeds General Infirmary with a fractured skull. He died two days later.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

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A man has been sentenced to four years for killing a postman two decades ago during an argument about littering.

Andrew Batten, 42, died after being punched by Anthony John McDonnell during a disagreement over a drinks can in Vicar Lane, Leeds in October 1995.

McDonnell, 45, of Whitebridge Avenue, Leeds, was caught after renewed police appeals on the 20th anniversary of what police called a "needless act".

He earlier pleaded guilty to manslaughter at Leeds Crown Court.

Mr Batten, who lived in Beeston, had gone out after finishing work and was still wearing his Royal Mail uniform when he was attacked.

He was found on the pavement by an ambulance crew after an anonymous call and was taken to Leeds General Infirmary with a fractured skull. He died two days later.


Anthony John McDonnell pleaded guilty to manslaughter at an earlier hearing

Det Ch Insp Jim Dunkerley, who led the anniversary investigation, said the case showed the "catastrophic consequences of drink-fuelled violence - the waste of a life".

"It was a needless act on a unassuming chap who had had a quiet drink for an hour after work," he said.
Speaking during the anniversary appeal, Vanessa Batten, Mr Batten's sister, said: "The people involved that night have enjoyed 20 years of life that Andrew was denied.

"The aching of his loss still cripples me."

After an inquiry at the time of the attack failed to lead to a conclusion, the anniversary was used to release CCTV images of people police hoped to speak to.

Det Ch Insp Dunkerley said: "Sometimes you get new information years later as allegiances change or consciences are pricked.

"No case will become too old, none are closed."

[NWpostie]

4 Years ! that's nothing especially when he has been living his life for 20 years with children and partner, I would demand a sentence review as I would consider it unduly lenient.

[Deadly]

Four years