Boxer guilty of Blackpool manslaughter

A professional boxer has today been found guilty of the manslaughter of a man in Blackpool in October last year, plus numerous drug offences.

Mali Wright, 30 originally from Leeds, assaulted Daniel Allsop, 38, on Bethesda Road in Blackpool at 4.30pm on 2 October 2023.

Mr Allsop had walked to Bethesda Road with the intention of buying drugs. However, when he arrived Wright attacked him, breaking his ribs and rupturing his spleen before chasing him away.

A short time later Mr Allsop collapsed in the doorway of a nearby McDonalds restaurant and was taken to hospital. He died two days later as a result of his injuries.

Four days later on 6 October 2023 Wright was arrested in Blackpool.

Officers searched his car and home and found a large quantity of crack cocaine with an approximate street value of over £2,500 and over £6,800 in cash, along with two phones containing evidence of the sale of heroin and crack cocaine. As he was being walked through the police station, Wright discarded 24 individual wraps of crack cocaine on the floor.

When he was interviewed by the police under caution and chose not to answer any questions.

Today he has been found guilty of Daniel Allsop's manslaughter plus possessing and being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs and possessing criminal property (cash).

Laura Walmsley, Senior Crown Prosecutor for CPS North West said: "Outside the confines and controls of the boxing ring Mali Wright used his fists as weapons to inflict what proved to be fatal injuries. Daniel Allsop stood no chance to defend himself against such unprovoked and powerful blows.

"After considering the evidence we presented to the jury, including CCTV on the day of the attack and telephone evidence of Wright supplying drugs, they have today found him guilty of causing Mr Allsop's death and all the drug offences he faced.

"We are committed to working with the police to bring to justice those who partake in such needless violence and those who seek to exploit and profit from the illegal drugs trade.

"Our thoughts remain with Mr Allsop's loved ones at this difficult time. We hope that Wright's conviction today brings some measure of comfort to them."