Man jailed after fatal punch outside pub

Dave Butler was jailed for six years and eight months after admitting manslaughter

A man has been jailed for manslaughter after fatally punching a man outside a pub on New Year's Eve.

David Butler, 53, punched Robert Chadney, who was on a night out at the Beauchamp Arms in Malvern, Worcestershire, on 31 December 2023.

Mr Chadney, who was punched "to the side of the head" suffered very serious injuries from which he later died, said West Mercia Police.

Butler, of Bawdsey Avenue, Malvern, was jailed for six years and eight months at Worcester Crown Court on Monday after pleading guilty to manslaughter.

“This is an incredibly sad case and shows how an alcohol-induced, split-second decision and single punch can change and devastate lives forever," said Det Insp Mark Walters.

He said officers' thoughts remained with the family and friends of Mr Chadney.

"No length of sentence will ever fully repair the huge loss they have suffered but I hope today's sentence goes some way towards bringing closure to what has been and continues to be, an extremely difficult time for them," Det Insp Walters said.

“Robert was out celebrating New Year’s Eve, like people up and down the country, but sadly Butler’s actions that night meant he never made it home."