Man admits killing Barnsley football fan in bar attack

Jason Derbyshire, aged 32, of Welland Court, Higham, Barnsley, pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of 46-year-old dad-of-three Nicholas Bedford.

Mr Bedford died on November 2 after being knocked unconscious in the Blue Room bar on Wellington Street, Barnsley town centre, in the early hours of the morning. He was taken to hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Derbyshire entered a plea of guilty to manslaughter when he appeared at Sheffield Crown Court via video link from custody.

He was originally arrested on suspicion of murder but was charged with manslaughter.

He will be sentenced on April 29.

A pre-sentence report will be carried out by the Probation Service ahead of the sentencing by the judge.

Mr Bedford, known as Beddy, was a Barnsley FC fan and chairman of grassroots football club North Gawber Colliery FC.

He is survived by his wife Celia and children Amy-Rose, Jake and Holly.

Mr Bedford was well known by Barnsley FC fans on the terraces at Oakwell, with supporters of clubs up and down the country and across Europe among those who posted their condolences online following news of his death.

Tributes paid to Mr Bedford following his death described him as a ‘larger than life’ character and said it was a ‘massive loss to local football’ in the area.