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, punched Carpenter so hard that his head “fell back”.
Judge Daniel Williams said O’Callaghan, who admitted manslaughter, had dealt a “fatal and sickening blow” in an act of “selfish, blind violence”.
The court heard O’Callaghan dragged the victim’s body down the street before fleeing the scene.
“You treated his lifeless body without an ounce of care, concern or dignity,” the judge said.
Police said a £10,000 appeal was made to Crime Stoppers for information on his whereabouts and he was arrested days later while trying to climb out of a window.
Carpenter was seriously injured after the attack and died of his injuries in hospital.
Martha Smith-Higgins, prosecuting, said a post-mortem examination showed he had suffered a lethargic brain injury, a lack of oxygen to the brain, as well as cardiac arrest and bleeding on the brain.
In a tribute issued at the time of his death, his family described him as a “beloved son, partner and father”.
They said: “Marcus was a man with the kindest heart who would go out of his way to help anyone he could.”
Carpenter’s brother Zach wrote online: “You will never know how much you were loved. I hope you are at peace now, brother.”
Marcus Carpenter dies in hospital four days after attack outside The Picture House pub [Family handout]
Carpenter’s mother, Frances Price, said her son was “cruelly taken from me.”
“I feel pain and heartbreak every day,” she said.
His partner Jane Murphy said O’Callaghan “stole my whole world”.
“He took away my future and the love of my life. I will never say goodbye.”
O’Callaghan has 21 previous offenses, including attacking an ex-partner with a leash, assaulting someone with a glass and carrying a knife in public.
Judge Williams said on Friday O’Callaghan’s actions had “caused unimaginable grief”.
O’Callaghan’s sentence also includes a four-year license extension upon release.
Inspector Neil Bryce from Gwent Police paid tribute to Carpenter’s family and said he hoped the outcome “allows them to start rebuilding their lives”.
He added: “The circumstances of Mr Carpenter’s death should serve as a warning to others about the devastating consequences that senseless and unnecessary violence can have.”
