An Oakes man has admitted the manslaughter of a rugby player in a packed nightclub.

Dale McLean, 25, admitted causing the death of Halifax rugby union club player Andrew Feather who died at the Liquid nightclub in Halifax last month.

The 38-year-old victim’s friends and family members packed a courtroom at Bradford Crown Court on Thursday to hear McLean formally enter his guilty plea to the unlawful killing charge before the Recorder of Bradford Judge Roger Thomas QC.

Mr Feather, a former student at Hipperholme Grammar School, had been out celebrating a match victory when he was punched during an incident at the Halifax night spot on Sunday, February 9.

Liquid/Maine Street club at junction of Commercial Street and Fountain Street in Halifax.
Liquid/Maine Street club at junction of Commercial Street and Fountain Street in Halifax.

McLean, of Greenfield Avenue, was wearing a blue sweatshirt and jeans as he sat in the dock a few metres away from some of Mr Feather’s relatives who were allowed to sit in the jury box.

He spoke only to confirm his name and to enter his plea of guilty to the charge.

Prosecutor Richard Davies told the judge that CCTV of the incident in the nightclub would be shown during the next hearing and he revealed that McLean had been involved in a previous incident of common assault which was of ’similar in nature’.

Mr Davies said the common assault was not proceeded with against McLean because he was also being dealt with for an offence of violent disorder.

“There may also be CCTV in regard to a previous common assault which the defendant was not convicted of but which I understand is very similar,” said Mr Davies.

“I’m told that the common assault is very similar in terms of a blow being struck to a person in a public house”.

McLean’s lawyer Carl Kingsley said he was not putting forward any basis of plea at this stage and he did not believe there would be any psychiatric issues in the case.

Judge Roger Thomas ordered a pre-sentence report to be prepared on McLean in time for the next hearing.

Tributes were paid to Mr Feather, who worked as a financial controller at Telstar Life Sciences.

Rugby club chairman Graham Smith said Mr Feather was a “loyal member who was held in high regard”.

Mr Smith said Mr Feather had been with the rugby club for more than 10 years and had been club secretary for a year.

Andrew Feather
Andrew Feather

Mr Smith said: “We’d had a good day on the Saturday, both teams had won and I spoke to Andy after the game and he was in great spirits.

Darren Emmerson, friend and fellow player, said: “He was a really warm guy, a true gentleman.’’

Mark Wilton of Halifax RUFC club said at the time of the tragedy: ““Andrew had been a loyal member for a good number of years and a prominent player in recent times in the Dukes XV. He had served as Club Secretary for over 12 months prior to his death.

“He will be greatly missed by all at Ovenden Park and the thoughts of all at the club are with his family.”

McLean was remanded in custody and will be sentenced on April 30.

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