Man jailed for killing pensioner with single punch

Gary John Selwood was jailed on Monday.

A man has been sentenced to four-and-half years in prison, after being convicted of killing Paul Carter, who died after being punched at a folk club.

Gary John Selwood punched Mr Carter, 69, in an attack at Whitchurch Folk House in East Dundry Road, Bristol, on the evening of 27 February 2022.

Mr Carter fell backwards and hit his head on the corner of some furniture, suffered a bleed to the brain and died on 16 April at Southmead Hospital.

Judge Julian Lambert told Bristol Crown Court Selwood had shown “no remorse” for his actions and jailed him for manslaughter.

'Vicious attack'

Selwood was arrested the day after the incident in Bedminster, Bristol on suspicion of assault, before being released under investigation.

He later moved to France, where he was arrested in Aulnay in March 2024 and extradited back to the UK by specialist officers.

Det Insp Mark Newbury, of the Major Crime Investigation Team, said: “This has been an extremely distressing time for Paul’s family and they remain firmly in our thoughts. We’ll continue to give them any support they need through a specialist family liaison officer.

“Gary Selwood carried out a vicious attack on Paul at Whitchurch Folk House in 2022. Just one punch was enough to cause horrific injuries, resulting in Paul spending almost two months in hospital before needlessly losing his life.

“Those who engage in violent acts need to take heed - the potential consequences of this behaviour can be devastating and life-changing.”