Mugger who punched a man to the ground for his credit card as he returned from a birthday meal faces life in jail after victim died from head injuries
- Simon Mushonga, 39, was enjoying evening out in Kettering, Northamptonshire
- Aaron Muggleton, 25, punched him three times before he fell and cracked head
- While he lay unconscious in gutter, Muggleton stole a credit card before fleeing
- Muggleton was found guilty of murder, theft, and two assaults earlier today
Aaron Muggleton, 25, has been found guilty of murder after punching a stranger to the ground before stealing his credit card in Kettering, Northamptonshire, on December 8 last year
A mugger who punched a stranger to the ground before stealing his credit card is facing life in jail after the victim died from head injuries.
Simon Mushonga, 39, had been enjoying a quiet evening out with friends in Kettering, Northamptonshire, to celebrate his birthday on December 8 last year.
Aaron Muggleton, 25, approached the ‘reserved, polite and well-meaning’ man before punching him three times in a ‘completely unprovoked attack’.
Prosecutor James Hause said Mr Mushonga was struck with ‘huge force’, causing him to fall to the ground, crack his head on the pavement and lose consciousness.
While he lay unconscious in the gutter Muggleton cowardly stole a credit card before fleeing the scene.
Mr Mushonga was rushed to hospital but he never regained consciousness and died a short time later.
Muggleton, from Kettering, was arrested a short time later by police and subsequently charged with murder.
Today he was found guilty of the charge following a two-week trial at Northampton Crown Court.
He was also convicted of theft, assaulting Mr Mushonga’s friend on the same night and of assaulting another man outside a nightclub on November 17 last year.
Detective Inspector Stuart Hitchon from Northamptonshire Police’s Major Crime Team, said after the verdict: ‘Simon Mushonga was by all accounts, a very nice man who was reserved, polite and well-meaning.
Simon Mushonga, 39, was rushed to hospital but he never regained consciousness and died a short time later. He was described as a ‘very nice man who was reserved, polite and well-meaning’
‘This was a completely unprovoked attack on an innocent man which has left a family devastated.
‘Simon was not a confrontational man – he simply wanted a quiet night out to celebrate his birthday.
‘His killer, Aaron Muggleton, can expect to receive a lengthy sentence behind bars and I hope he uses this time to reflect on the consequences his mindless violence has had.
‘Not only did he kill Simon but he has also been found guilty of two other unprovoked assaults.
‘Finally I would like to commend Simon’s family and friends for the way they have conducted themselves during this trial.
‘I hope the result today brings them some comfort, though nothing can truly take away the pain they feel in a world without Simon.’
Muggleton will be sentenced at the same court on July 2.