'Hard man' jailed for life for using martial arts to murder man

Judo ‘hard man’, 61, is jailed for life for using his martial arts skills to murder a former special assistant to Mother Teresa in pub row after his return to UK from Third World

  • Colin Payne attacked Mark Bloomfield at a pub in Swansea on July 18 this year
  • Mr Bloomfield had accidentally touched Payne’s girlfriend at the Full Moon pub
  • Payne, 61, confronted Mr Bloomfield and punched him twice in quick succession 

Colin Payne (pictured above) has been handed a life sentence and must serve at least 15 years

A judo ‘hard man’ has been jailed for life after he used his training in martial arts to kill an ex-special assistant to Mother Teresa in a pub row after his return to the UK from the Third World, where he had been setting up schools for girls.

Colin Payne attacked Mark Bloomfield in a pub after he accidentally touched his girlfriend.

Now Payne, 61,  must serve at least 15 years for using his fighting expertise to kill Mr Bloomfield.

Mr Bloomfield – who worked on charity projects in Africa – was attacked by Payne in a pub in Swansea after returning to the UK.

The court heard Mr Bloomfield was ‘a fighter for justice’ who had worked establishing schools for girls and setting up clinics for people with eye problems in the Third World.

But he was set upon by ‘self-styled hardman’ Payne when his drink can touched the back of Payne’s partner.

Payne was ‘spoiling for a fight’ when he confronted Mr Bloomfield and delivered ‘two powerful blows in quick succession.’

Payne (pictured above in police mugshot) attacked Mr Bloomfield in the pub before following him outside 

Judge Paul Thomas QC told said that all Mr Bloomfield had done was ‘touch your girlfriend momentarily with a beer can’, he added that it had cost Mr Bloomfield his life.

‘You wanted to show the regulars of the Full Moon public house that you were not a man to be trifled with.

‘You had an image to protect as a self-style hard man.

‘Mr Bloomfield could not be allowed to get away with touching your girlfriend’s back with a beer can.’

The court heard Payne attacked Mr Bloomfield in the pub before following him outside to continue the assault.

Judge Thomas said Mr Bloomfield had been grabbed around the neck and forced to the floor, but that that ‘hadn’t been enough’ for Payne.

‘He had to be followed outside to be taught a real lesson – that nobody messes with Colin Payne in his local.’

‘You are a man in his 60s who resorts to great violence for the slightest of provocations as you see it to cement you reputation.’

Mr Bloomfield (pictured above) had previously worked in Africa and had helped open an eye relief camp

The Full Moon pub (pictured above) where Payne attacked Mr Bloomfield after he accidentally touched his partner

Paramedics found Mr Bloomfield lying unconscious on the pavement with blood coming from his nose, right ear and inside his mouth.

Prosecutor Christopher Clee QC said the blows: ‘Were ferocious punches intended to cause really serious injury.

‘The defendant’s martial arts expertise means he knows how to really hurt people. The blows did indeed cause really serious injuries.’

Swansea Crown Court heard Mr Bloomfield died two days after the attack at the Full Moon pub in Swansea, South Wales on July 18 this year.

Payne (pictured above) denied murder but was found guilty after a three day trial 

When police searched Payne’s home they found a leaflet promoting his jujitsu, combat judo, and third dan martial arts skills.

It also advertised his services as a bodyguard, safety adviser and combat instructor.

Payne, of Swansea, denied murder but was found guilty by a jury after a three day trial.

He was handed a life sentence and told he must serve at least 15 years.

 

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