Ian Wright’s boxer trainer friend yelled ‘he’s done me’ after football fan stabbed him in the neck with broken bottle, court hears

A boxing trainer who had worked with celebrities cried out ‘he’s done me’ after being stabbed in the neck with a broken bottle by a football fan, a court heard. Reece Newcombe, 31, died from his injuries following the attack outside Viva Nightclub in Richmond on 26 November 2022. Ross Hamilton, 34, is accused of delivering the fatal blow after a fight erupted between the two men, shortly after England’s draw with the USA in the Qatar World Cup. Both had watched the match at a fan zone in Richmond Park before heading to Viva nightclub. Earlier that evening, Hamilton had been behaving provocatively towards a father and son after they finished dinner at The Ivy in Richmond, the court was told. Thomas Lang, who had been celebrating a family birthday, described how Hamilton approached his 80-year-old father, ‘tapping him on the head’ and sparring at him, urging, ‘come on loud one.’ Prosecutor Louis Mably, KC, asked if Hamilton’s behavior seemed humorous or antagonistic. Mr. Lang responded that while it appeared somewhat ‘jokey,’ Hamilton seemed agitated and was trying to provoke a reaction. After intervening to defend his father, Lang said Hamilton made a remark about his appearance, implying he was pregnant, to which Lang sarcastically replied, ‘that’s very rich coming from you.’ The next morning, Mr. Lang learned from social media that Hamilton was implicated in Newcombe’s death. After seeing a photo, he immediately recognised him as the same man from the Ivy incident. Scott Chadwick, a friend of Newcombe’s, testified: ‘He was being quite aggressive, it seemed he was having an argument with security guys across the side of the road.’ Mr Chadwick said how Hamilton had been acting aggressively at Viva, even threatening to stab another friend before the fatal altercation occurred. Describing Hamilton as a tall, bald man, Chadwick said he saw him ‘bouncing around the road’ trying to provoke a fight. Chadwick attempted to intervene, but a ‘scuffle’ ensued. Moments later, he heard screams and turned to see Newcombe holding his neck, bleeding heavily. Newcombe shouted, ‘he’s done me,’ before collapsing. Despite efforts to help, Newcombe later died in hospital from wounds to the veins and arteries leading to his brain. Hamilton, who later turned himself in at a police station, claims he acted in self-defense. Mr Newcombe had trained notable figures, including former England footballer Ian Wright and actor Jack O’Connell, who starred in Back to Black and Unbroken. Hamilton, from Wood Lane in Isleworth, west London, denies charges of murder, assault and possession of an offensive weapon. The trial continues.