Man who admitted killing friend after row jailed

The attack on Paul Ainscough (pictured) was seen by a number of people in the Stag pub in Leyland

A man who killed his friend after they had a row over chicken wings in a pub beer garden has been jailed.

Paul Ainscough, 57, was found dead at his home in Chorley, Lancashire, on 24 June last year, two days after he was atacked by Liam Slack.

Slack, 34, of Langton Brow, Eccleston, pleaded guilty to manslaughter at a hearing in August.

He was sentenced to four years and two months in jail at Preston Crown Court.

Blunt force trauma

Lancashire Police said when Mr Ainscough's son Mark went through his phone, he found messages which the friends had exchanged.

The messages showed there had been an argument between the pair when they had been out drinking together in Leyland on Saturday 22 June.

It had been caused by Slack grabbing chicken wings off Mr Ainscough at The Stag pub beer garden in Worden Lane, Leyland.

A post mortem examination confirmed Mr Ainscough died as a result of blunt force trauma to the chest.

Slack was initially arrested on suspicion of assault, then later on suspicion of murder, but following consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service he was charged with manslaughter.

Slack killed his friend in a row over chicken wings

Paul's son Mark said Mr Ainscough was "our hero and the person who loved us more than anyone in the world".

He added: "He was a proud granddad.

"He adored his grandchildren and used to love seeing them, buying them gifts and sharing stories with them about his time in the army.

"Our dad was a Regimental Sergeant Major in the British Army where he served his country for 24 years with courage and honour."

Det Insp Marc Armstrong said: "This has been a traumatic time for Paul's family and the trauma of losing a much-loved man will continue. My thoughts are very much with them.

"I'd like to thank the public who came forward during the investigation and provided statements which enabled us to establish what happened on that afternoon in June 2024 and helped bring Slack to justice."