Man sentenced for killing brother in drunken fight

Ben Starr killed his brother with a single below in front of their father and children

A man has been jailed after killing his brother with a single punch in a drunken fight at a motocross event last year.

Ben Starr, 34, of Woodside Avenue in Derbyshire, previously admitted to the manslaughter of Lee Starr in a fight at Foxhill motocross track, in Swindon, in August last year.

Lee, who was 38 years old, suffered a fatal head injury and later died in hospital.

Starr was sentenced to two years in prison at Bristol Crown Court on Thursday.

In a victim impact statement read to the court, Lee's wife Jaye Starr said: "Lee was cruelly and senselessly taken from me and our children."

On 22 August 2024, their father witnessed Lee punch Starr twice before both men ended up on the ground, with Starr restraining his brother.

The fight was also witnessed by Lee's 13-year-old son and Starr's daughter, the court was told.

They were forced apart by onlookers and a further punch from Starr to Lee proved fatal, as he collapsed on the floor while walking away from his serious injuries. Lee died days later in Southmead Hospital.

The court heard both argued with each other in the past, but Starr said he loved Lee and would often go to him for advice.

Lee died from his injuries in hospital days after the fight

Ms Starr said: "I never imagined I would be forced to put into words the unbearable grief that now defines our lives.

"We had a future full of hope, love and dreams together.

"But that future was stolen from us in horrific moment, and now every single day is a fight just to keep going without him."

Sam Jones, defence, said: "This case was a tragedy on both sides.

"Ben will have to live with the consequences of his actions for the rest of his life."

Ben Starr inflicted a single fatal blow to his brother Lee at a motocross event

Mr Jones called for a suspended sentence as Starr has no previous convictions, and he showed "remorse".

However His Honour Judge Blair KC chose to sentence Starr to two years in prison.

"Nothing about this case can be described as anything but tragic," he said.

Det Ch Insp Phil Walker, head of the Major Crime Investigation Team at Wiltshire, said: "A life has been cut short following what should have been an enjoyable weekend at a family event. A single punch has ruined the lives of a family.

"This was a sensitive case which not only saw family members witness the death of a loved one but also required them to give evidence.

"This is another example of a tragic case where one punch has taken someone's life."