Cradley Heath woman Shannon Cronin, jailed for manslaughter

Shannon Cronin, of Clyde Street, was found guilty of manslaughter after a trial at Birmingham Crown Court.

Victim Mark Lloyd was left in a critical condition after an attack during a random street robbery in Aldridge Road, in Perry Barr, in September 2019.

The 39-year-old dad, from Kingstanding, died of his injuries in hospital over a week later.

Police said Cronin and her boyfriend Sean Sweeney went out intent on robbing someone as they wanted to buy cigarettes and alcohol.

Yesterday (Monday September 28) Cronin, aged 24, was jailed for five years for manslaughter.

She received a four year and six month sentence for robbery and 18 months for the fraud – both of which will run concurrently.

Her co-accused, Sean Sweeney, of Oscott Road, Perry Barr, (pictured above) who had previously pleaded guilty to manslaughter, robbery and fraud was jailed for 10 years for manslaughter.

The 27-year-old also received six years for robbery and 12 months for fraud – both to run concurrently.

After his death, in a statement, Mr Lloyd’s heartbroken family said: “Mark was a much-loved father, brother, son, partner and friend to so many people.

“He has been taken from us in the most unfair of ways.

"He will be missed so much by us all.”

Mark Lloyd (pictured below).

Police said the pair stalked Mr Lloyd, as he made his way home after an evening out with friends.

At around 11.30pm on Saturday, September 21, 2019, they assaulted and robbed him on Aldridge Road, Perry Barr.

The attack was captured on CCTV and clearly shows the pair stalk Mr Lloyd as he walked home alone.

He was attacked from behind, with Sweeney punching Mr Lloyd to the back of the head with such force that he collapsed to the ground and never regained consciousness.

The pair then searched him, stealing his mobile phone and bank card before leaving him alone at the side of the road.

The couple were arrested 25 minutes after the assault and were initially charged with robbery and fraud.

Police said Mr Lloyd died in hospital eight days later as a consequence of a head injury caused by Sweeney’s punch.

The couple were re-arrested and further charged with murder.

The investigation was run by West Midland Police's complex investigation team’s Detective Sergeant Jonathan Gill who said: “This was a shocking attack on a loving and devoted family man who was on his way home after an evening with friends.

“The violence used was extreme and the couple’s actions were callous and lacking in remorse as they left Mr Lloyd seriously injured and went to buy the cigarettes and alcohol using his bank card.

“Mr Lloyd’s family are left devastated by their actions; I hope the conviction of Sweeney and Cronin, and the support our officers have given them, provides some comfort.”