One punch man jailed

A drunken attacker who left a man with a life-changing bleed on the brain after knocking him unconscious with a single punch has been sent to jail.

A judge told Kieran Napier, 27, he was lucky to not be facing a manslaughter charge as he sentenced him to a year and 10 months in prison.

Napier, of Rectory Close, Great Paxton, punched the 27-year-old victim in Market Square, St Neots, at 3am on Saturday, 19 March, 2022.

The victim fell to the ground, hitting his head, leaving him with two brain bleeds.

Napier, his girlfriend and friend walked off, but he was arrested six months later at Gatwick airport after a police wanted appeal.

He was charged with GBH without intent but denied he was at the scene of the crime and continued to claim innocence until changing his plea to guilty in August.

Sentencing him last Friday (11 October), at Cambridge Crown Court, Judge Grey said: “You may not feel lucky at the moment, but you are. If you had seen what can happen when people hit their heads, then you would realise how close to manslaughter you came. No intention would not be a defence.

“Remorse is not demonstrated by telling a pack of lies about not being at the scene and pleading not guilty at court and only admitting your guilt belatedly.

“Drunken violence of this sort is far too common. People have the right to go out and enjoy themselves without unexpected violence.”

The victim suffered bleeds to the brain and spent three days in hospital initially but had to be re-admitted when further brain bleeds were discovered.

Det Sgt Sharon Burrell said: “This sentence reflects the severity of this crime and is a stark reminder that a single punch can have disastrous and devastating consequences for everyone involved.  

“Every weekend in towns and cities across the country police deal with alcohol-fuelled violence. I hope this case will make people think about their actions.”