Man jailed over single punch manslaughter

Benjamin Wallbanks punched Benjamin Grosvenor once to the head, causing a bleed to his brain

A man has been jailed for six years, with a further three years on licence, for a single punch attack that led to a man's death.

Benjamin Grosvenor, 28, was attacked on Trinity Street, Stoke-on-Trent, in the early hours of 28 November 2021.

He sustained significant head injuries in the attack and died in hospital on 26 November 2023.

Benjamin Wallbanks, 41, from Fenton, pleaded guilty to manslaughter in September.

He was sentenced at Stafford Crown Court on Friday.

Prior to the attack, the victim had been on a night out with his brother and sister and was walking to get some food when he became involved in an altercation, police said.

Wallbanks joined the altercation and punched Mr Grosvenor once to the head, knocking him unconscious.

Benjamin Grosvenor was on a night out with his brother and sister when he was punched by Wallbanks

The victim sustained a bleed on his brain as a result of the assault and died nearly two years later.

The pair did not know each other, Staffordshire Police said.

In a tribute, Mr Grosvenor's family said he was he was a kind soul, and they were utterly devastated by his loss.

"He was one of life's good guys and he didn't deserve to have his life so cruelly taken away from him," they said.

"Ben suffered for two long years in a coma before losing his life. He didn't deserve to suffer in this way, and nothing will ever alleviate the pain we feel from losing our Ben."

Det Insp Adrian Webb from Staffordshire Police said the family had suffered "immeasurably" since the incident.

He said: "A single punch, wielded by Wallbanks has had devastating and fatal consequences.

"I hope that Wallbanks’ conviction and prison sentence bring some closure to friends and family of Benjamin as they continue to come to terms with their tragic loss."