How one punch over a Lime bike killed James Gbadamosi

What started as a simple warning to a child on a Lime bike ended in tragedy.

James Gbadamosi, 67, was fatally attacked after asking a young boy to stop cycling on the pavement along Balham High Road, southwest London.

The Old Bailey heard that Gbadamosi was outside Costa Coffee with his partner when he confronted the child. His words angered a woman who snapped back, telling him: “You think you’re a big man shouting at a child.”

She later phoned Andre Wright-Walters, 37, who prosecutors said walked to the scene and launched a violent assault.

Wright-Walters punched and slapped Gbadamosi, before landing two more blows to his face that sent him crashing to the ground. The pensioner struck his head on the pavement and never recovered.

He was rushed to hospital but died from his injuries on September 5, almost two weeks after the attack.

Wright-Walters, of Avery Hill, Greenwich, appeared in court via video link from HMP Wandsworth, charged with murder. He has also been charged with possession of cocaine and grievous bodily harm.

A 30-year-old woman linked to the incident has been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit murder.

Judge Sarah Munro, KC, has remanded Wright-Walters in custody ahead of a plea and trial hearing on November 26. A full trial is set for May next year.

Gbadamosi’s family are being supported by specialist officers as they mourn the man whose only “crime” was telling a child to get off the pavement.