ROUND-the-clock police protection has been given to the man cleared of killing Birmingham father-of-two Tracy McConnell.
Jason D’Aguilar has left the south Birmingham area amid fears he could become a target of vigilantes seeking to avenge Mr McConnell’s death.
Police today confirmed that officers have been assigned to Mr D’Aguilar and his family as anger continues over the collapse of a manslaughter trial.
The 21-year-old was alleged to have killed Mr McConnell with a single punch outside the Fordrough pub in West Heath in March.
But he was cleared by a judge after two expert medical witnesses gave conflicting evidence and prosecutors said they could not continue with the case.
It is understood that since Mr McConnell’s death, a string of threats have been made between rival groups connected to the case.
Det Insp Richard Mayhew, who led the initial investigation, said: “Unfortunately intimidation has been an ongoing feature of this case.
“It is a concern and protection is being afforded to a number of individuals.”
Mr McConnell, aged 46, died of a brain haemorrhage after being knocked to the ground at the end of a night of violence at the pub.
Mr D’Aguilar, of Northfield, was seen on camera throwing the final blow but a brain injuries specialist said he could not be certain that the punch had been the cause of death.
After being freed from the dock, Mr D’Aguilar claimed he had acted in self defence.
The decision by prosecutors left Mr McConnell’s family fearing they will never get justice.
They said they had concerns about the investigation and the way the evidence had been presented after the collapse of the case on Friday.
Mr McConnell’s sister, Ingrid Fisher, said the family would put pressure on the police until more people were brought before the courts.
The family are due to meet with police as part of a case review.
Mrs Fisher, aged 44, claimed: “There were eight to ten of them attacking Tracy like a pack of hounds.
“We feel let down that so few have been brought before the court and also that the Crown Prosecution Service didn’t sort their witnesses out.
“We won’t stop until the police tell us there is nothing more they can do.”
