Ingoldmells Car Park Murder: Pub Landlord Stabbed to Death
A shocking murder trial has commenced following the fatal stabbing of Rotherham pub landlord, Gareth Hart, in a car park near Fantasy Island in Ingoldmells. The accused, Joseph Allan Malek, denied murder charges and use of an offensive weapon without legal authority or valid cause.
Fatal incident in Sea Lane
According to details at the trial, Hart encountered Malek in the early hours of Friday, April 26, 2023, outside the Fantasy Grill & Balti. During the confrontation, Malek, who was with a pen knife in a pouch, stabbed Hart in the heart. The 43-year-old landlord, on a family vacation, succumbed to his injury minutes later.
Prosecution & Defence Statements
"Most people did not see that Malek had a knife and that probably includes Gareth Hart who also seemed surprised that he had been stabbed. When he was being pulled away he realised he had blood on him and he had been stabbed. Malek deliberately and unlawfully used the knife and he used it to cause at least grievous bodily harm. Malek was saying he was acting in self-defence,"
This statement was made by Christopher Donnellan KC, the prosecutor, at the Lincoln Crown Court. Donnellan further acknowledged that Hart might have launched the first attack.
"Pen knives are available on Amazon and not an offensive weapon per se. He took it out because he always had that pen knife on him. Anyone can carry a knife of that kind in public but it’s a question of what his intention was,"
Gordon Aspden KC, defending Malek, referenced the accessibility of pen knives and questioned the intent behind their possession.
Next Steps in the Trial
The trial continues at Lincoln Crown Court under the direction of His Honour Judge Simon Hirst, with CCTV footage from the crime scene set to be demonstrated.