A DRUNKEN banker who caused the death of Thames pleasure boat captain Mick Reed after being thrown off for drunkenly abusing passengers took an overdose on the eve of being sentence sentenced today. Andrew Liddard, who punched the 67-year-old skipper during a foul-mouthed rampage in front of shocked tourists, was on bail when he took the overdose

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A DRUNKEN banker who caused the death of Thames pleasure boat captain Mick Reed after being thrown off for drunkenly abusing passengers took an overdose on the eve of being sentence sentenced today.

Andrew Liddard, 29, who punched the 67-year-old skipper in the face during a foul-mouthed rampage in front of shocked tourists at Tower Pier, was on bail when he took the overdose.

He was in hospital while due at the Old Bailey this-morning. So a judge issued a warrant for his arrest after he was released from hospital.

Liddard was brought to court this-afternoon, appearing dazed as he walked into the dock.

MANSLAUGHTER

He was jailed for three years after being convicted last month of manslaughter and ABH.

Liddard had been drinking heavily with his younger brother, also a bank worker, before boarding the Millennium of Peace cruiser at London Bridge on June 2, 2007.

But within minutes the boat pulled in at Tower Pier and the brothers were ordered off.

This led to a violent confrontation on the pier when crew members tried to restrain them.

Mick Reed, who had been married 44 years, had suffered heart problems since 2001. The violence at Tower Pier that night proved too much. He felt ill and sat down, then suffered a heart attack and was rushed to hospital, where he died within an hour.

The father-of-three was due to retire the next day after a lifetime working on the river.