Billy Allison, a member of the Raise the Colours campaign group, has admitted the manslaughter of Staffordshire pub landlord Matthew O’Gara but denies murdering him. A jury at Stafford Crown Court is hearing evidence about the fatal incident at a Lichfield bar in May.
Allison, 36, has also admitted unlawfully wounding another man, Adam Cooper, causing grievous bodily harm. He denies the more serious charge of causing grievous bodily harm with intent. The trial, which began on 28 October, continued on Thursday 29 October 2026.
What happened at the Lichfield bar?
Mr O’Gara, 44, who ran The Plough pub in Huddlesford, was injured at Ricco and Loren on Market Street, Lichfield, on the night of 24 May. He never regained consciousness and died in hospital two days later.
Opening the prosecution case, Timothy Hannam KC said Allison delivered a powerful punch to Mr O’Gara’s neck while he was on the dancefloor with friends. The court heard that the blow fractured bones in his neck and damaged an artery supplying blood to his brain. These are details of the prosecution case and evidence presented to the jury.
The prosecution said Allison then struck Mr Cooper, who suffered injuries including a fractured eye socket and nose. CCTV footage of the incident has been shown in court.
What the jury heard on 29 October
Mr O’Gara’s partner, Rebecca Mullally, told the court she had been dancing with him when Allison approached and punched him without warning. She said she had not previously seen Allison or any interaction between him and her group.
Describing the force of the blow, Ms Mullally said it was audible over music playing in the bar. She described calling for an ambulance as Mr O’Gara lay injured. Her account is witness evidence given to the jury, which must assess the evidence presented by both sides.
What is the connection to Raise the Colours?
Allison was identified by The Guardian in September as a member of Raise the Colours, a group associated with campaigns to display Union and St George’s Cross flags.
The prosecution told the jury that Allison had been in Lichfield that day with friends including Ryan Bridge and Ben Cullen. Bridge is a co-founder of Raise the Colours. Both Bridge and Cullen are named in separate Oxfordshire High Court civil proceedings concerning the unauthorised placement of flags on or near public highways.
Prosecutors also said CCTV showed Allison leaving the bar with Cullen and later swapping T-shirts with him. The prosecution suggested Allison tried to conceal his identity and evade detection. That is the Crown’s interpretation of the evidence, not a finding by the jury.
Neither Bridge nor Cullen is alleged in the court reporting examined by Fish 4 News to have assaulted Mr O’Gara or Mr Cooper. Their appearance in the account of the day’s events and their involvement in separate flag-related civil proceedings do not establish participation in the attacks.
The flag injunction proceedings are unrelated to the criminal charges being tried at Stafford Crown Court. For further background, see our earlier report on the separate legal proceedings involving Ryan Bridge.
What is the jury deciding?
Allison’s admission of manslaughter means he accepts criminal responsibility for causing Mr O’Gara’s death. The jury must decide whether the prosecution has proved the additional legal elements required for murder. It must also consider the disputed allegation that he intended to cause grievous bodily harm to Mr Cooper.
The trial remains ongoing. No murder verdict has been reached. Fish 4 News will update this report when there is a significant verified development.
Sources
- Staffordshire Police: appeal following death in Lichfield (17 June 2026)
- BBC reporting: witness evidence at Stafford Crown Court (29 October 2026)
- Press Association court report via Express & Star (28 October 2026)
- Oxfordshire County Council: High Court injunction case and named parties
- The Guardian: Allison’s reported Raise the Colours membership (1 September 2026)
