'Disrespected' marine killed man with single punch

A Royal Marine who killed a man with a single punch after he felt "disrespected" by him has been jailed.

Commando Joseph Jones pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of chef Cemal Yilmaz following an incident in Church Street in Exmouth, Devon, on 13 December. Manchester-born Yilmaz, who was 29, died three days later.

Jones, who was based at the Commando Training Centre at Lympstone, was sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison during a hearing at Exeter Crown Court.

During sentencing, the court heard Wolverhampton-native Jones had punched Yilmaz when he became irritated after he said the 22-year-old was from Birmingham.

Prosecutor Lee Bremridge said Yilmaz was a "larger than life character" and was well-known in the shops and pubs of Exmouth.

The court heard on the night of the incident, Yilmaz was drunk and had been chatting to some people including marines outside a pub.

The court heard Yilmaz - who was described as being his "normal cheeky happy self" - had been asked to stay out of one pub and had been hugging people and kissed a marine on the cheek.

The court was told after Jones took exception to be being described as being from Birmingham, he replied: "I am from Wolverhampton."

Bremridge said there was no heated argument and Jones punched Yilmaz "out of the blue" and it was likely the victim was unconscious before he hit the ground.

He added that marines were trained to use judgement and restraint and only use force when warranted.

"He used violence to a man who was just no threat to him at all," he said.

"The single punch had such force that it sent Cem to the ground."

The court heard Jones walked away after the punch and a fellow marine told him what he had done was "completely out of order".

Judge James Patrick said Jones had left his chosen career in the military in "tatters".

"You did nothing to help, you simply walked away," the judge added.

"You had been disrespected and you said 'no one disrepsects me'.

"You hit him when he was making fun of where you were from."

Speaking outside court, Ann-Marie Yilmaz - the victim's mother - said he was a "gentle giant" who would not hurt anyone.

"Cemal was a credit to the community, he was a good lad and didn't cause any trouble," she said.

"He was just a good lad, a good-natured lad who was the strength of the community.

"He was a lovely lad and he didn't deserve this."

Devon and Cornwall Police said the incident was a chance encounter which "tragically affected the lives of all involved".

Det Insp Christopher Lithgow, the senior investigating officer, said: "Mr Jones will now have to deal with the consequences of his actions.

"I wish to express my deep sympathy to the family of Mr Yilmaz and I commend their bravery throughout this process.

"I have had the pleasure of meeting the family of Mr Yilmaz and it was immediately clear just how loved and adored he was by so many."

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