Man jailed for football fan murder

Alex Jarmay suffered three stab wounds. He collapsed after staggering outside a club

A man who killed a Liverpool football fan at a London club was jailed for life today.

Paul Beck, 29, was told he would have to serve a minimum of 18 years.

Beck pleaded guilty to murdering Alex Jarmay, 26, in February at Bar Uno in Camden, north London.

The Old Bailey was told he had overreacted, mistakenly thinking there was a threat from a large group of Liverpool fans in the club.

Mr Jarmay, a transport distribution worker from Bromborough, Wirral, had travelled with a group of around 20 to London to watch his team play Cardiff in the Carling Cup final, which Liverpool won the next day.

Some of them, including his brother Luke, 22, went out for a quiet drink.

Beck and his brother Damien, both of Kentish Town, Camden, were also drinking at the club.

Jonathan Turner, QC, prosecuting, said: "At nine minutes to midnight, Paul Beck stabbed Alex Jarmay to death with a knife he had just taken from the kitchen.

"Immediately prior to this, his brother Damien struck Luke Jarmay in the face with his fist, possibly with a glass."

Alex Jarmay suffered three stab wounds, one puncturing his lung. He collapsed after staggering outside the club.

Paul Beck was later found to have taken cocaine and a witness said he had seen him inhaling it from a key.

Paul Mendelle, QC, for Beck, said he accepted he used excessive force and was full of remorse.

Judge Gerald Gordon told Beck: "As a result of your actions, that young man lost his life - a tragedy for him, his family and friends."

He added: "You decided to take the knife to defend yourself.

"There is no justification for doing that. The taking of knives for any use against another human being, even in perceived self-defence, is wholly unacceptable."

He said there was no criticism of Mr Jarmay and his friends.

Damien Beck pleaded guilty to wounding Luke Jarmay and will be sentenced later today.

Damien Beck was later sentenced to 10 months imprisonment for striking Luke Jarmay, spliting his lips and injuring his mouth.

Judge Gordon told Beck: "You will have to live with the fact that your blow proved to be the prelude to your brother's fatal stabbing."

PA