Man jailed for manslaughter
31 October 2011, 13:46 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50
A man has been jailed for the manslaughter of a man in Ashton-under-Lyne.
A man has been jailed for the manslaughter of a man in Ashton-under-Lyne.
Robert Leigh, 23, of Purbeck Walk, Bradford, pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Stephen Shaw, aged 57.
He was sentenced to three years in prison at Manchester Crown Court.
Stephen Shaw and Leigh had been socialising on the evening of 16 April 2011 and ended up in the Ladysmith pub on Wellington Road.
Mr Shaw left shortly before 2am, followed a short time later by Leigh.
The pair walked along Wellington Road, with Mr Shaw walking slightly behind Leigh.
Leigh told police that Mr Shaw started becoming abusive, prompting him to strike out and land a blow that felled Stephen.
A Home Office post mortem found he died from a fractured skull consistent with a heavy fall onto the back of his head.
Senior Investigating Officer, Vinny Chadwick said "This is yet another example of how badly wrong arguments can go when influenced by drink and how devastating a single blow can be.
"This stupid act has robbed Stephen's family of a loved one in very tragic and unnecessary circumstances."
