Club bouncer and former champion prizefighter Lenn

Club bouncer and former champion prizefighter Lenny McLean
was jailed for 18 months by an Old Bailey judge today Tuesday for
assaulting a disco streaker who later died.

Mr Gary Humphreys, 31, died in the street more than an hour
after leaving London’s Hippodrome club.

McLean, 42, stood trial for murder but the charge was
dropped when Judge Richard Lowry, QC, ruled that there was no
evidence to show that any injuries he might have caused had led
to the death.

But today (Tues) he told burly McLean he had to be punished
for the ‘unnecessary, gratuitous’ violence’ he used on Mr Hum
phreys, who was suffering from a mental illness.

McLean, the former British unlicensed boxing champion, took
Mr Humphreys to a side room with colleague Robert Lopez, 33,
after he fought with the DJs and danced naked and urinated on
the floor.

After the assault Mr Humphreys was ejected from the club.

He
was picked up by passing firemen and then put into an ambulance.

But he leapt from the vehicle and disappeared into the West
End streets for a time.

He next appeared again leaping between
and on cars in Tottenham Court Road.

Officers from the Diplomatic Protection Group gave chase and
they together with doormen from another club forcibly restrained
Mr Humphreys.

It was then that hypermania sufferer Mr Humpreys, of Peel
Green Road Eccles, Manchester, suddenly collapsed and died.

‘This case has been heard against the tragic background of
the death of Mr Humphreys,’ said the judge.

‘Everyone who has heard the story feels compassion.

He was
burdened by illness.

‘He could contain it by medical help and drugs but at the
time of this case he was not taking medication and his behaviour
made him a danger to others and himself.

‘What incident or series of incidents caused his death cannot
be precisely determined.

‘
The judge continued: ‘It is also right to say no one there at
the Hippodrome realised, including you, the real cause of his
behaviour.

It appeared to be deliberate, bad behaviour by a man
affected by drink or drugs.

‘
After Mr Humphreys was removed from the dance floor he was
taken to a side room where the assault took place.

‘You decided to teach him a lesson,’ said the judge.

‘Trouble or potential trouble had ended and there was no need
for further action.

Nothing can excuse force used as punishment
or retribution.

‘You were experienced in this work and you knew that he would
be a defenceless man against you, a strong man trained as a
boxer.

‘
The judge said he took into account that McLean only had one
conviction for violence 17 years ago and that he had spent nine
months in custody facing a murder charge.

But he added: ‘The public demand high standards of those
employed to keep the peace.

‘Any offence of this nature, involving unnecessary, gratui
tous violence must be met with punishment.

‘
McLean, of Allen Road, Bow, e.

london thanked the judge and
blew a kiss to relatives and friends in the public gallery as he
was led away.

All charges relating to fellow bouncer, Robert Lopez, 33, of
Elstree Gardens, Lower Edmonton, North London, were also dropped after
the crown offered no evidence.

He was cleared of manslaughter and causing grievous bodily
harm to Mr Humphreys – which he denied.

Mclean is to appeal against his sentence.

ENDS