The sister of a festival worker who died after protecting his friend in a violent attack has hailed her brother as a hero.
Andrew Main, 33, died in hospital after he was brutally battered by thugs Joseph Dix, 26, and Macauley Ruddock, 28, in Swansea on July 17, 2024. The three had been visiting the area for work, staying at the same hotel in the city centre, and met for the first time at a nearby bar.
A row broke out and dad-of-two Andrew, from Falkirk, rushed to to the aid of his colleague, Michael Bell, before the attackers turned on him. He was brutally beaten in the street and never regained consciousness.
His killers were sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 13 years last week.
Sharon Main, 38, praised her little brother’s bravery after he ‘sacrificed himself to save his friend’.
She said: “We didn’t know what had happened until the trial began – now we know Andrew died a hero. He sacrificed himself to help his colleague.
“He didn’t deserve what happened to him. He didn’t want to fight. He was trying to be the peacekeeper and ultimately died trying to break it up.
“He gave his life trying to help and that is exactly the kind of person he was.
“Our family are just lost now. We are physically pained. We will suffer more for life than the two men who killed him.”
Prosecutors at Swansea Crown Court argued Ruddock, from Bath, and Dix, from Frome, were the aggressors that night after they “took exception” to Andrew and his friend Michael Ball after they spoke to a female guest at the hotel that the pair had previously been speaking with.
Andrew swung punches toward Dix during a confrontation before he ran away. The pair then chased after him, with Dix ending up knocking him to the ground with a punch to the back of his head.
The jury heard Andrew was likely unconscious and received another blow to the head as he lay on the ground motionless and bleeding. Prosecutors argued Dix and Ruddock were “the aggressors from the start” and “exalted” in their brutality.
Sharon was left sickened as details emerged in court that the pair were seen “laughing, high-fiving and showing off” following the attack. Andrew was taken to University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff with catastrophic brain injuries and complex facial fractures.
He was moved to Royal Infirmary in Edinburgh to be close to Sharon and the rest of his family but he died on August 14, never regaining consciousness. Following the trial, which concluded last week, Dix and Ruddock were found guilty of his murder and were sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 13 years, 176 days.
Speaking after the trial, Detective Inspector Claire Lamerton said: “We are pleased to hear of the murder conviction for both Joseph Dix and Macauley Ruddock. Both men were visiting Swansea for work, as was Andrew Main.
“All three were staying at the same city centre hotel, and met for the first time at a nearby bar. Later that night, an argument broke out back at the hotel between Joseph Dix and Macauley Ruddock and Andrew Main and his friend Michael Bell.
“This argument moved onto the street, before Dix and Ruddock chased after Andrew Main, ultimately striking him unconscious before carrying out a sustained attack. While the parties had all consumed alcohol that night, that does not provide an excuse for the level of violence displayed by Joseph Dix and Macauley Ruddock.
“They clearly set out to cause serious injury to their victim, and now will face significant prison sentences for their actions. Our thoughts remain with Andrew’s family and friends, who have been devastated by what has happened and continue to grieve his loss.
“This case highlights how the effects of intoxicants can negatively affect behaviour and decision-making. Had Joseph Dix and Macauley Ruddock chosen to walk away that night, a life would have been saved, and they would not be convicted killers.”
Sharon added: “I will never get over having to watch as my little brother suffer such a brutal attack. I will struggle forever because I could not wake Andrew up.
“I played Andrew voicemails from his family and friends, and recorded voice notes of his daughter singing to him for 28 days straight until he succumbed to his injuries taking his final breath.
“Andrew’s life support system was turned off the first day his kids went back to school. This has had a huge detrimental effect on them.
“We as a family have suffered the ultimate sacrifice. Our lives will never be the same. The only comfort we have gained from the sentencing is that the two responsible will always be known as murderers. That title will never leave them for the rest of their lives.”
Don’t miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond – Sign up to our daily newsletter here.