Andrew and Cairistine Clark(Image: @cairistine.ramsay/Facebook)

The widow of a man who died after confronting a queue jumper in a Sainsbury’s supermarket has launched a blistering attack on the justice system, saying the sentence handed to her husband’s killer is “an absolute joke”.

Andrew Clark, 43, had been out celebrating Newcastle United’s victory—describing it as “the best day of my life”—when his life was cut short during a routine shopping trip with his wife at a Sainsbury’s store in Beckenham, south London. While waiting to pay, Andrew challenged Demiesh Williams, 30, after he pushed ahead in the queue.

Andrew Clark had been celebrating Newcastle United’s victory(Image: Metropolitan Police / SWNS)

According to Andrew’s partner of 23 years, Cairistine Clark, Williams reacted with fury. As he left the shop, he reportedly threatened staff and customers, vowing he would “get him outside”.

Moments later, as the family exited the store, Williams confronted Andrew and struck him with an open-handed slap. The blow caused Andrew to fall backwards, hitting his head on the ground. He was rushed to hospital but died from his injuries three days later.

Demiesh Williams was sentenced to five years and three months in prison(Image: Met Police)

Williams, a bus driver, later admitted manslaughter and was sentenced at Woolwich Crown Court to five years and three months in prison. He will be eligible for release after serving two-thirds of that term. Andrew’s family walked out of court before the judge finished speaking, branding the punishment grossly inadequate.

“The court hearing was utterly devastating,” Cairistine told the Daily Mail. “There is no justice for a life taken. He won’t even serve three years. That’s two Christmases and he’ll be free. He’ll still be a young man when he gets out—and my husband is gone forever.”

CCTV footage of Williams in the Sainsbury’s(Image: CPS / SWNS)

She added: “What message does this send to violent criminals? We will carry this pain for the rest of our lives, while he gets to go back to his. That is something I cannot accept.”

Cairistine rejected suggestions that the attack was minor. “People say it was ‘just a slap’, but I’ve seen the scans. I’ve seen the damage,” she said. “He killed him with his bare hands. I was only steps behind Andrew. I saw everything. I heard everything. And then he was gone.”

As Andrew lay critically injured, Williams fled the scene, driving away with his young child still in the car. Cairistine said she cradled her husband in his final moments. “I’m sure he died in my arms,” she said. “And the man who did it just ran.”

Although the case was originally heading to trial, Williams pleaded guilty to manslaughter. During sentencing, the family were further distressed by what they described as a complete lack of remorse. Unable to endure the proceedings, they left the courtroom.

“Three years for taking a life,” Cairistine said. “That’s barely anything.”

She warned that lenient sentences fail to deter violence. “If people know they’ll only get a few years for killing someone, it won’t stop them. Now our daughter is growing up without her dad. He was everything to her.”

Cairistine described Andrew as a selfless, generous man who was known and loved by many. “He had time for everyone,” she said. “What happened to him has changed every moment of our lives. Innocent families don’t deserve this.”

Williams had approached Andrew as the family left the shop(Image: CPS / SWNS)

In a statement read aloud by her aunt, Andrew’s 14-year-old daughter told the court: “My dad wasn’t just my dad—he was my best friend. We did everything together. He was the most generous man I know.”

Sentencing Williams, Judge Andrew Lees acknowledged the scale of the loss. He described Andrew as a hardworking family man who was deeply loved, adding that the family’s grief was “unimaginable” and that the tragedy “should never have happened”.

Taking into account Williams’ guilty plea, the judge imposed a sentence of five years and three months, with a requirement that at least two-thirds be served in custody.

Cairistine now plans to meet with the Crown Prosecution Service to raise concerns about the outcome. Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick also criticised the sentence, calling it “paltry” and saying he had written to the Attorney General to ask for it to be reconsidered.