KILLER CAGED

Violent customer jailed for killing Glasgow pub landlord who died after kicking him out his bar

A VIOLENT customer has been jailed for killing a pub landlord who died after kicking him out of his bar.

Thomas Conaghan, 59, was ejected from Viceroy Bar on Paisley Road West by tragic Peter Derrick last July after branding other drinkers "p***s" and "homosexuals".

Dad-of-two Peter struggled to get thug Conaghan out of his Glasgow boozer - and suffered a cardiac arrest shortly after returning to his pub.

He failed to make a recovery and died 12 days later in hospital.

Conaghan is now behind bars after pleading guilty to culpable homicide at Glasgow's High Court.

Prosecutor Maryam Labaki told how he had entered the boozer at around 4pm on July 17 last year demanding to be served.

She said: "Conaghan proceeded to make offensive remarks to other customers.

“He approached three men, swearing at them and repeatedly stating 'you are all p***s”, 'f****t” and 'f***ing homosexuals'. They asked him to leave them alone.”

Peter then stepped in and told Conaghan he'd had too much to drink.

But the thug refused to leave and "struggled violently" with the pub landlord, who eventually managed to push him outside.

Peter slammed the boozer door shut and a customer used his foot to keep it closed. Conaghan thumped the door to get back in before Peter briefly exited the bar and then returned.

CCTV played in court showed the pub boss walking inside and suddenly slumping to the ground.

Prosecutor Labaki added: "Those inside the bar rushed to assist him with one person performing CPR. An ambulance was called and arrived within 15 minutes.”

Peter was rushed to hospital, but showed “no signs of improvement”. He was found to have suffered a cardiac arrest and a hypoxic brain injury.

A post-mortem revealed he also had a heart disease, which meant he was “susceptible” to a potentially fatal attack.

Labaki added: "The pathologists conclude Mr Derrick's ejection of Conaghan was a significantly stressful event and, because of the underlying heart disease, there is a clear link between the incident and the cardiac arrest.”

Peter's family first took control of Viceroy Bar in 1975. His grieving wife now runs the boozer.

The pub landlord's daughter Robyn started a fundraising driver to install life-saving defibrillators in a number of venues including Ibrox Stadium after the disaster.

She said at the time: "I want to focus on helping other families. Our family want to give others a chance.

“A cardiac arrest can happen to anyone. Every moment is precious. One minute or five minutes. It makes a difference.”

Brute Conaghan was remanded in custody after admitting to his crime. He will be sentenced on February 28.