A man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for causing the death of a grandfather with a single punch following a fight outside a pub in Appleby Magna, Leicestershire. Nathan Gothard, 37, was found guilty of manslaughter after the incident near the Crown Inn just days before Christmas last year.
During the trial at Leicester Crown Court, it was revealed that Gothard knocked David Darke to the ground, resulting in a fractured skull that led to his death from brain injuries. The judge described the act as senseless and unnecessary, emphasizing that Darke’s life could have been spared if Gothard had chosen to walk away from the confrontation.
Prosecutors highlighted the tense atmosphere at the pub on the night of the incident, attributing it to Gothard’s disruptive behavior towards women in a group accompanying Darke. Despite being escorted out of the pub, Gothard engaged in a physical altercation with another individual before turning his aggression towards Darke.
In Gothard’s defense, he claimed to have acted out of fear for his safety, alleging that Darke had threatened him. However, the court dismissed this argument, holding Gothard accountable for instigating the violent confrontation that led to Darke’s tragic death.
Darke’s family expressed their grief over the loss, emphasizing his admirable qualities and the impact his organ donation had on saving lives. Detective Inspector Kevin Hames acknowledged the family’s strength in facing the ordeal and condemned Gothard’s actions that have left a lasting impact on the victim’s loved ones.