Man Jailed For Killing A Devoted Father With One Punch

24 August 2018, 16:21

A 21 year old man's been jailed after killing a devoted father with one punch who was on a night out with his family in Nottinghamshire

Jack Shepherd from Stapleford has been jailed for two years and nine months, after previously pleading guilty to the manslaughter of 45-year-old Stephen Coverley.

The court heard that Shepherd assaulted Mr Coverley outside Larry’s Bar in Derby Road in Stapleford, during the early hours of 1st January 2016. 

He punched the 'devoted' father once in the face which caused him to fall to the floor causing a serious head injury.

Shepherd was sentenced for killing Mr Coverley on Friday 24th August 2018 at Nottingham Crown Court. 

A statement from Mr Coverley’s family said: "Stephen was a wonderful and loving husband and father. "With one punch Jack Shepherd has completely devastated and destroyed an entire family.

"Although the sentence today will not bring Stephen back we are satisfied this is a just sentence."

He had already served a sentence for the assault aspect of the incident at the time, resulting in a 28-month prison sentence. He was sentenced to five years - with the reduction of the previous sentence and credit for his guilty plea giving him a prison sentence of two years and nine months.

Following the assault Mr Coverley was treated at the scene before being taken to hospital.

He suffered a blood clot overlying his brain as a result of the assault.

He spent a long time in hospital where he later died as result of aspiration pneumonia.

Following a post-mortem examination it was concluded that Mr Coverley had been at increased risk of developing such pneumonia as a result of his severe brain injury and that he would not have died of this were it not for the incident in January. 

The court heard that Mr Coverley had gone out on New Year’s Eve to celebrate with his family. 

After midnight there was an incident in Larry’s Bar which resulted in Shepherd being escorted out by security staff.

A dispute then took place outside the bar resulting in Shepherd punching Mr Coverley to the face.

Speaking after Shepherd's sentencing Detective Constable Sharon Lowth said: "Stephen Coverley was a devoted family man whose wife, daughter and two sons have been left heartbroken by the actions of Jack Shepherd.

"His death is a stark illustration of just how much damage and devastation one single punch can cause.

"I hope it highlights to people that getting involved in any kind of violent behaviour can have tragic consequences.

"A family has lost a loved one and Shepherd is now spending time behind bars all because of one punch."