Riccardo Holness' family will continue fighting for justice

Riccardo Holness spent a month on life support after he was punched by Thomas Spicer outside a bar in Beckenham three years ago.   

Mr Spicer accepts he hit Riccardo, but has not faced criminal charges as the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said it could only bring a prosecution when there was a “realistic prospect” of securing a conviction.   

On Thursday (November 7) Edmund Gritt, assistant coroner for south London, recorded a verdict of unlawful killing and said the CPS will now be required to consider whether there is new evidence or information from the inquest which could change their decision not to bring criminal charges.   

Riccardo’s older sister, Ramona Marsh, said: “Today feels like a first step towards justice for Riccardo, but it shouldn’t take almost three years of having to fight for any form of justice to reach this stage. 

“Until this week, Riccardo’s attacker has been able to hide away from what he did on that night. Now, his actions have been considered in a court, and have been found to have been unlawful. 

“Knowing Riccardo's nature and character, we have believed from day one that he would not have been the aggressor, and that he would not have been a threat to anyone. It was not in his nature, and that has been demonstrated in the evidence at the inquest.” 

Ramona Marsh (centre) pictured reading a statement outside South London Coroner's Court where assistant coroner Edmund Gritt gave a verdict of unlawful killing (Image: NQ) The inquest heard the punch took place after a “brief verbal altercation” between Riccardo and Mr Spicer’s friend, Jack Henderson.

Mr Spicer and Mr Henderson have claimed Riccardo was the aggressor in the situation but doorman Enio Cardoso who witnessed the punch said Riccardo posed no threat to them. 

Assistant coroner Edmund Gritt said Riccardo received an “explosive” punch without warning from the side after a run up of several metres. 

Riccardo Holness with his nephew Corey (Image: Supplied) Ramona Marsh said: “Although we feel this is a major step forward, we won’t take anything for granted, as we have been let down and left feeling heartbroken too many times before. 

“We won’t stop pursuing justice for Riccardo though, and want to thank our legal team for ensuring this Inquest was able to consider all the evidence, resulting in this very important verdict. 

“Riccardo was always a person who enjoyed the company of others. He rarely went on a night out as he worked seven days a week. He enjoyed talking to people from all walks of life, and he was always there for his family and his friends. 

“He was looking forward to the future as his business was growing and he had secured contracts with some high-profile companies. He was very charismatic and was loved by those who had the pleasure to meet him. 

“He had many good qualities, he was generous, caring, thoughtful, humorous, humble and forgiving. 

“Our father and my mother’s husband passed away eight years ago. I have lost my little brother and my mother her only son. This has left and unimaginable pain from which both my mother and I will never recover from. 

“Riccardo now needs us not to give up on securing justice for him, as we know he would have done for us.” 

Riccardo’s family are represented by Hudgell Solicitors, who have called for a fresh and thorough investigation into his death.