The killer of an 80-year-old man from Brighton and Hove has been jailed after he admitted manslaughter in a hearing at Hove Crown Court.
Arno Engels, 40, pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Anthony Scarrott, known as Tony, in a hearing at Hove Crown Court before Judge Christine Henson.
Yesterday (Thursday 30 April) the judge jailed Engels for causing the death of his friend.
Engels slapped Mr Scarrott across the face, causing him to fall backwards and hit his head.
The assault happened on Thursday 11 September at Mr Scarrott’s top floor flat in Westcourt Road, Worthing.
He died three days later, on Sunday 14 September, at the Royal Sussex County Hospital, in Brighton.
Mr Scarrott, formerly of Holland Road, Hove, worked in bars in Brighton for many years and was a member of the Max Miller Appreciation Society.
He was living in Worthing at the time of his death and was found seriously injured in his flat on the day of the attack, prompting the police to start an operation known as Op Brentford.
Engels, who knew Mr Scarrott, was arrested initially on suspicion of assault. He was released on police bail for further inquiries to be carried out.
But three days later, Mr Scarrott was dead and Engles was then charged with murder.
Sussex Police said: “Engels was initially arrested on suspicion of assault and released on bail pending further inquiries.
“When he discovered that Tony had died, Engels was found by police officers in the street on his way to hand himself in to a police station and confessed that he had assaulted Tony during an argument.”
He entered a not guilty plea to murder before Judge Christine Laing, the honorary recorder of Brighton and Hove, at Lewes Crown Court on Friday 5 December.
On Friday 30 January, at Hove Crown Court, Engels pleaded guilty to manslaughter.
Yesterday, Judge Henson jailed Engels for two years and four months.
Detective Inspector Amanda Zinyama, of the Surrey and Sussex Major Crime Team, said: “This has been a tragic and distressing case particularly for Tony’s family and friends and our thoughts remain with them.
“Tony was kind enough to offer Engels a place to stay in his home but Engels took advantage of his generosity, losing his temper and hitting Tony, ultimately causing him fatal injuries.
“Engels has rightfully been given a custodial sentence for the serious consequences of his actions.”
Many people have paid tribute to Mr Scarrott, including his sister Sandy who said: “My brother Tony was loved by so many family members and friends.
“I just want to say, ‘Tony, sleep tight and remember the show must go on.’”
The Ship Inn, in Southwick Street, Southwick, closed for his funeral at Woodvale Crematorium, in Brighton, on Wednesday 28 January and reopened mid-afternoon for his wake.
The pub said on its Facebook page: “He was an amazing man, full of fun, with an engaging personality that is sorely missed. He brought laughter, conversation and poured innumerable pints throughout his long life.”
Mr Scarrott was known affectionately as Doris – and an earlier post on the Ship’s Facebook page said: “Rest in peace Doris. You truly were one of a kind.”
An inquest into his death was opened by Coroner Joanne Andrews at Woodvale, in Brighton, on Thursday 23 October and adjourned to a date and place to be set.
