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Non league player killed after agreeing attacker was “fat and ginger”

It has been learnt at a court hearing that a non league player was killed after agreeing that an attacker was “fat and ginger”.

The footballer suffered a blow to the head following a pubgoer’s self criticism, to which he agreed with, despite just being called a “good-looking lad”.

The 25 year old Matlock Town midfielder died in hospital after suffering a fractured skull and brain damage in an assault in Retford, Nottinghamshire, on a night out in January.

Nottingham Crown Court heard how one his alleged attackers, Kai Denovan, “flew immediately into a rage” after the footballer joined in with the defendant’s “self-deprecating humour”.

Denovan, aged 22, followed the non league player along with his two friends into a pub, The Vine, before telling him he was a “good-looking lad” and would have no trouble “pulling girls” – unlike him, who was “fat and ginger”.

“Yes I can see that,” Sinnott replied, which the prosecution argued provoked the defendant’s alleged behaviour.

Denovan’s 21 year old co-defendant Cameron Matthews pleaded guilty to manslaughter at an earlier hearing and admitted he was the one who administered the fatal punch.

Matthews hit Sinnott “two or three times” after the violence spilled out into the street outside the pub.

The court heard how Matthews took over from Denovan – who was “plainly hell-bent on trouble” – and allegedly punched the player twice in the face while inside the pub.

Another 22 year old, Sean Nicholson, admitted affray in connection with the same incident.

Prosecutor Michael Auty QC said Mr Sinnott was willing to apologise for causing offence but said Denovan, Matthews and Nicholson were a “pack hunting down and exacting retribution”.

Opening the case against Denovan, Mr Auty said: “As deaths go, it was about as senseless, avoidable and devastating as perhaps it was possible to be.

“He died, in fact, as a direct consequence of blows struck by Cameron Matthews, not by Mr Denovan.

“However, you will all readily understand that those who knowingly assist or encourage… are liable too.”

He continued: “Whilst he did not know Jordan Sinnott… Kai Denovan followed rapidly behind him and made a comment to Jordan Sinnott that he was a ‘good looking lad’ and would have no difficulty ‘pulling girls’, unlike him who, he volunteered, was ‘fat and ginger’.

“What the true purpose of the remark was, only Kai Denovan knows. It’s hard to imagine how anyone might sensibly have replied.”

The prosecutor described Denovan’s comment as a “deliberate honey trap”.

He continued: “In the end, Jordan Sinnott chose to say words to the effect of, ‘yes, I can see that,’ no doubt thinking he was simply joining in with what appeared to be self-deprecating humour.”

He said Denovan flew immediately into a rage, which was “contrived and entirely of his own making”.

Mr Auty said that after Denovan allegedly punched Mr Sinnott twice, the footballer and his friends left the pub to buy food.

He said: “Denovan, having contrived a situation inside, and then erupted into violence when there was no need whatsoever, continued to lead the charge.

“It is Denovan who is driving the exit from The Vine and deliberately pursuing Jordan Sinnott and his friends outside.

He added that Denovan was “desperately seeking” trouble.

Denovan, from Retford, denies manslaughter, affray and common assault.

The trial continues, with the understanding that the non league player was killed after agreeing the attacker was “fat and ginger”.

Sinnott ended up saving at least seven lives aged between 20 and 50. after donating organs and helped dozens more, living up to the kind-hearted man we knew him to be.

Soldiers and other burns victims are also reportedly benefiting from skin grafts created after his donation.

Jordan Sinnott, who was a former footballer for Huddersfield, Altrincham, Bury, Halifax, Chesterfield, Alfreton and Matlock, had spoken to his family about his wish to be a donor if anything happened to him.

His brother Tom said: “He loved giving and even after he’s passed he managed to do that… At least his heart is still beating.”

His mum said that she brought up the issue of organ donation after being told there was no hope for her son who was on life support at Sheffield’s Northern General Hospital.

His Mum said: “All I could think of was the phone call that would be made to tell them an organ had been found for their loved one. It’s a gift of life and the highest gift you can give.”

As Jordan was taken to the operating theatre to donate his organs, porters and nurses, stood to pay their respects as the family accompanied him for his final journey.

She added: “When he was in the operating room the theatre staff gave him a minute’s silence.”

Jordan, who lived and breathed football, was looking forward to getting engaged and married to the love of his life.

After the family appealed for clubs to send signed shirts with Jordan’s name on the back, they were “blown away” when 1,000 shirts arrived from all over the world. They will also be auctioned to raise money for Sport Relief.

Sinnott managed to score a total of 14 goals during 123 appearances between 2012 and 2018. In that time, he played in the Championship, League Two, National League and National League North.

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