Man who threw 'fatal and sickening' punch outside Wetherspoons pub jailed

A man who killed a "kind and gentle" father with a "fatal and sickening" punch outside a Wetherspoons pub has been jailed for 10 and a half years.

Marcus Carpenter, 37, died in hospital four days after the attack outside The Picture House pub in Ebbw Vale, Blaenau Gwent, in February.

The court heard Kyle O'Callaghan, 30, of no fixed above, punched Carpenter so hard he caused his head to "snap backwards".

Judge Daniel Williams said O'Callaghan, who pleaded guilty to manslaughter, conducted an act of "selfish, mindless violence".

The court heard O'Callaghan dragged the victim's body along the street before fleeing the scene.

"You treated his lifeless body without an ounce of care, concern or dignity," the judge said.

A £10,000 Crimestoppers appeal was offered for information on his whereabouts, and he was arrested days later while attempting to climb out of a window, police said.

Carpenter was left severely injured after the attack and died from his injuries in hospital.

Martha Smith-Higgins, prosecuting, said a postmortem revealed he suffered a hypnoxic brain injury, meaning a lack of oxygen to the brain, as well as a cardiac arrest and bleeding on the brain.

In a tribute issued at the time of his death, his family said he was a "beloved son, partner and dad".

"Marcus was one of a kind with the kindest of hearts who would help anyone out he could," they said.

Writing online, Carpenter's younger brother Zak said: "You will never know how loved you are. I hope you're at peace now brother."

Carpenter's mother, Francis Price, said her son was "cruelly taken away from me".

She said: "Everyday I feel in pain, I am heartbroken."

His partner, Jane Murphy, said O'Callaghan had "stolen my whole world".

"He has taken my future and the love of my life. I will never get to say goodbye."

O'Callaghan had previous convictions for 21 offences, including attacking his ex-partner with a chained dog lead, attacking someone with a glass, and carrying knives in public.

On Friday, Judge Williams said O'Callaghan delivered a "fatal and sickening blow", and that his actions "caused unimaginable grief".

O'Callaghan's sentence also included an extended licence period of four years after his release.

Det Ch Insp Neil Blyth, from Gwent Police, paid tribute to Carpenter's family, saying he hoped the outcome "allows them to start rebuilding their lives".

"The circumstances of Mr Carpenter's death should act as a warning to others as to how a senseless and needless act of violence can lead to devastating consequences," he added.