Source: Norwich Evening News 24
This picture shows Richard Moore and his girlfriend Jemma Todd in happier times before a moment of violence ripped their lives apart.
Tributes have flooded in for 21-year-old Mr Moore, who died after being attacked at a fast food restaurant in Norwich last week.
As two men appeared in court over the weekend charged with his manslaughter, flowers have piled up outside the McDonald’s in Haymarket, where the attack happened.
Mr Moore, from Magdalen Close, Norwich, died at the Norfolk and Norwich hospital on Thursday evening from head injuries after being assaulted at the restaurant on Wednesday at 4pm.
His 18-year-old girlfriend, Jemma Todd, who is expecting the couple’s first baby next month, witnessed the attack and is being supported by family.
Ms Todd said: “I would like to thank everyone who left flowers outside McDonald’s and I would like anyone with information about to contact the police if they have not already done so.”
The couple had been together for nearly three years and had been planning their future with their new baby boy.
Mr Moore, who was a pupil at Hewett School between 1998 and 2002, had just completed a job centre training course and was working hard to find full-time employment to support his new family.
A keen Norwich City supporter, he was hoping he would one day be able to take his son to matches.
Following his death, floral tributes have been laid outside the fast food restaurant.
Friends Andy and Shell wrote: “Richard was one of the best people I could have hoped to meet. He was kind, caring and a person you knew you could trust. He and his girlfriend lived for one another and the baby, it’s just such a shame he never got to see his little boy.”
Jemma’s eight-year-old sister Ocean Houghton said: “He was like a brother to me and I miss him so much. I am so sad he has gone and I love him.”
Maggi Catchpole said: “I am so sorry to hear this dreadful news. I would like you to know that I am thinking about you all.”
Louise Macrae said: “I knew Richard for a short time a few years ago. In the time I knew him he was a nice quiet boy and we got on well. I can’t understand how anybody could have done this to him. My thoughts are with his family and friends. I’m so sorry for your loss. Rest in peace Richard.”
On Saturday, father and son Gerard Owen Stonehouse, 48, and Jonathan William Stonehouse, 18, both of Woodcock Road, Norwich, were charged with the manslaughter of Mr Moore and were granted conditional bail.
The men appeared before Norwich Magistrates’ Court for a weekend hearing.
They were arrested soon after the attack on Wednesday afternoon, and were charged on Friday evening. Both were granted conditional bail on the grounds they live in a bail hostel outside Norfolk, report to police three times a week and do not enter the county other than to attend court or visit their solicitor. However, they will remain in custody until a suitable bail hostel can be found, which was expected to be today.
Defending the men, Malcolm Plummer said that, if they were granted bail there, was no risk the offenders would interfere with witnesses or would not attend court. The Stonehouses will appear before Norwich Crown Court on April 11.
Added: March 30, 2007
Source: EDP 24
Detectives investigating the death of an expectant father inside a fast-food restaurant have released security camera pictures in the hope of tracing crucial witnesses to the attack.
Richard Moore, of Magdalen Close, Norwich, died from serious head injuries last week following a fight in the city’s McDonalds restaurant in Hay Hill following a trivial argument. His pregnant girlfriend Jemma Todd could only watch as the 21-year-old was beaten to death.
Father and son Gerard Stonehouse, 48, and Jonathan Stonehouse, 18, both of Woodcock Road, Norwich, have since been charged with manslaughter.
The older of the two men was arrested after three members of McDonalds staff chased them through the city centre. They have been released on bail on the condition they do not enter Norfolk other than for legal appointments.
Officers are still trying to piece together the circumstances surrounding the attack. The footage released shows a young man and woman were sitting close to where the assault happened and were inside the restaurant throughout the incident.
Det Sgt Tom Smith said: “I would strongly urge these two individuals to contact us. They were sitting in close proximity to where the assault took place and it is very likely that they saw and heard what happened from the very beginning of the incident right up until police officers arrived on the scene.
“This is a serious incident which has resulted in a young man losing his life and it is of the utmost importance that we trace these two people – their eyewitness accounts could be very valuable to our investigation.
“I would appeal directly to this man and woman to come forward as soon as possible and I would also ask anyone else who recognises them and has any information about who they are to contact us.”
Officers are also still keen to hear from any other witnesses who have not yet spoken to police. Contact Det Sgt Smith or Det Sgt Nigel Gillick at Norwich CID on 0845 4564567.
Added: March 30, 2007
Source: Norfolk Constabulary
Detectives investigating the manslaughter of 21-year-old Norwich man RICHARD MOORE are today (March 28) appealing for two eyewitnesses to come forward.
Mr Moore, of Magdalen Close, was assaulted in the McDonalds restaurant in the Haymarket in the city centre at about 4pm on Wednesday, March 21. He sustained head injuries and sadly died as a result of these at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital just before 6pm the following day (March 22).
On Friday, March 23, father and son GERARD OWEN STONEHOUSE, 48, and JONATHAN WILLIAM STONEHOUSE, 18, both of Woodcock Road in Norwich, were charged with manslaughter.
They appeared before Norwich Magistrates Court on Saturday, March 24, and were released on conditional bail on the grounds they live in a bail hostel outside Norfolk, report to police three times a week, and do not enter the county other than to attend court or visit their solicitor.
CCTV footage now shows that a young man and woman were sitting close to the location where the assault took place and were present inside the restaurant during the entire incident. Det Sgt Tom Smith said: “I would strongly urge these two individuals to contact us.
“They were sitting in close proximity to where the assault took place and it is very likely that they saw and heard what happened from the very beginning of the incident right up until police officers arrived on the scene.
“This is a serious incident which has resulted in a young man losing his life and it is of the utmost importance that we trace these two people – their eyewitness accounts could be very valuable to our investigation.
“I would appeal directly to this man and woman to come forward as soon as possible and I would also ask anyone else who recognises them and has any information about who they are to contact us.”
Added: March 30, 2007