Fordrough pub landlady quits pub where father-of-two was killed

Apr 30 2009 by Edward Chadwick

Mrs Keen said she would relinquish the tenancy she has held for eight years, even though she was likely to lose money.

She told the Birmingham Mail that she had appointed a manager 14 months ago to run the Fordrough because she had suffered a back injury which meant she couldn’t work.

“If I’d thought this was going to happen I would have closed it straight away,” she said.

“I knew Tracy and I was devastated by what happened.

“I stand to lose a lot financially if I close the pub but it is nothing compared to what the McConnell’s have lost.”

Mr McConnell’s sister, Ingrid, added: “For the pub to open again it needs to change completely because what happened to my brother should never happen to anybody else.”

Jason D’Aguilar, aged 21, of Kingsdown Road, Northfield, has been charged with the manslaughter of Mr McConnell. He is to enter a plea at Birmingham Crown Court on June 22.