Thug with more than 70 convictions to his name admits the one-punch killing of a Liverpool fan in front of his two sons after they watched their team win the Champions' League

  • James Gelling, 31, from Southport attacked Ventsislav Marginov, 51, on June 1
  • Gelling punched Mr Marginov in the face. The father of two died three days later
  • Liverpool Crown Court heard Gelling has been convicted of 70 offences 
  • He was remanded in custody until he returns to court for sentence in September 

By DARREN BOYLE, DATA JOURNALIST

Published: | Updated:

James Gelling, 31, attacked Ventsislav Marginov, 51, on the night of Liverpool's Champions League victory over Tottenham Hotspur on June 1

James Gelling, 31, attacked Ventsislav Marginov, 51, on the night of Liverpool's Champions League victory over Tottenham Hotspur on June 1 

A notorious Merseyside thug who had more than 70 previous convictions has admitted killing a Liverpool fan who was walking home after watching the Champions League final.   

James Gelling, 31, from Southport attacked Ventsislav Marginov, 51, who had been enjoying the game on June 1 with his two sons. 

Liverpool Crown Court heard Gelling punched Mr Marginov once in the face knocking him to the ground. 

Mr Marginov's 28-year-old son also suffered facial injuries during the June 1 attack. 

Mr Marginov died at the Aintree Hospital three days later when medics switched off his life support system. 

Gelling was initially charged with causing grievous bodily harm, but this was changed to manslaughter. 

He appeared in the dock at Liverpool Crown Court this morning, when he spoke only to confirm his personal details and to admit the charge.

Liverpool fan Ventsislav Marginov, 51, was attacked by Gelling and rushed to hospital where he died three days later

Liverpool fan Ventsislav Marginov, 51, was attacked by Gelling and rushed to hospital where he died three days later

John McDermott, QC, prosecuting, said Mr Marginov's family were not in court but would be notified of the guilty plea.

He said the prosecution were still waiting for some pathological evidence and added: 'There may be some issue about the force of the punch that killed the defendant.'

Paul Becker, defending, said there was no basis of plea but requested a psychiatric report for his client ahead of sentencing.

Judge Andrew Menary, QC, also ordered a pre-sentence report, which he said must consider whether Gelling was a dangerous offender.

He remanded Gelling, with short ginger hair and wearing a grey sweat shirt in the dock, in custody until his sentencing on September 9.

Mr Marginov's devastated family previously paid tribute to a 'loyal and generous' father.

Gelling, pictured hiding from police on a roof in Southport, will be sentenced on September 9

Gelling, pictured hiding from police on a roof in Southport, will be sentenced on September 9

A short statement on behalf of the family was shared by Merseyside Police.

They said: 'Ventsislav was a much loved member of our family and will be very deeply missed by us all.

'He was a hard-working, loyal and generous husband, son and father.

'His parents, who are both in their 70s and still live in Bulgaria, are absolutely devastated by his death. His mother came to visit him a few weeks ago and had no idea that it would be the last time she would see him alive.

'We are all struggling to come to terms with the senseless manner in which Ventsislav died. We would like to thank everyone for their thoughts and kind wishes and we would ask that everyone respects our privacy at this difficult time.'

James Gelling's extensive criminal past revealed  

James Gelling, pictured at 15, was hit with a three-year ASBO in 2002. He his since being convicted of more than 70 offences

James Gelling, pictured at 15, was hit with a three-year ASBO in 2002. He his since being convicted of more than 70 offences

Gelling is the eldest of three brothers who terrorised Southport as children, waging a campaign of burglaries, assaults and vandalism.

He was 15 when the siblings were hit with three-year ASBOs, banning them from Pleasureland and any arcade in the resort, in 2002.

At 16, he was locked up for six months for breaching his ASBO, which he flouted by associating with other named youths.

Gelling was handed a two-year suspended sentence in 2007, for burgling a man's home and stealing his motorbike, then hiding from police on a rooftop.

He climbed up onto Hesketh Mount, which was undergoing major renovation, before being talked down by force negotiators more than an hour later.

Gelling was then jailed for 18 months in 2012, for battering the mother of his child and threatening to go 'Raoul Moat' on her if she told police.

By now 25 and with more than 70 convictions, he carried out a cowardly attack on his ex, while their two-year-old daughter was in the room.

Gelling later sent her a text message threatening to emulate the crazed gunman's infamous rampage in 2010.

He told his petrified former partner: 'When I get out I'll f***ing Raoul Moat everyone you grass. I'm going to murder you if you don't drop the charges.'

Gelling - earlier released from jail for beating up another ex - was convicted of breaching a court order, criminal damage, assault and intimidation.

He then hit the headlines again after scaling a 12ft dock to escape custody in 2014, which earned him the nickname the 'Southport Spider-Man'.

Gelling punched his way through ceiling tiles at Sefton Magistrates' Court, kicked a security guard in the chest then fled, sparking a four-week manhunt.

The then 27-year-old was finally arrested at a property in Bolton, when he told police he knew they were coming and 'should have booked a hotel'.

Gelling admitted escaping from lawful custody, criminal damage and assault, but told officers he 'didn't care' if the guard was injured.

The thug had also booted open a door with a secure lock, causing £2,500 of damage.

He was jailed for a year, consecutive to a five-month prison sentence he was already serving for attacking a landlord in a row over rent.

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