Blackpool murder: Man jailed for killing Walsall man in fight

Paul Atherton denied murder but was convicted by a jury

A "dangerous, violent" man who inflicted the final fatal punch on a 22-year-old during a fight in a seaside town has been jailed for life.

Ryan Harvey, of Walsall, was found with a serious head injury in Blackpool on 25 June and died three days later in hospital, Lancashire Police said.

Paul Atherton, 38, of Thornton-Cleveleys, was found guilty of murder and sentenced to a minimum of 16 years.

A second man had previously been jailed for assaulting Mr Harvey.

Thomas Heaney, 33, was jailed for 10 months. He was originally charged with murder but that charge was dropped when he admitted assault.

A post-mortem examination concluded the cause of Mr Harvey's death was blunt head trauma, police said.

Ryan Harvey died in hospital three days after the attack

While both Atherton and Heaney had punched Mr Harvey on Central Drive in the resort, police said it was clear from the CCTV footage and medical evidence that Atherton struck the fatal blow.

Atherton, of Knowsley Crescent, Thornton, was also found guilty of assault and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place which he denied, during the trial at Preston Crown Court.

Following sentencing, Det Ch Insp Rach Higson said: "Ryan was a gentle, kind and beloved young man, who should have had his whole life ahead of him."

She added the attack had taken place "in broad daylight on a busy street", with numerous witnesses and CCTV capturing it.

"What the evidence showed was that Atherton displayed an almost animalistic level of violence," she said.

She thanked the jury for reaching a guilty verdict and removing a "dangerous, violent man" from the streets.

In a tribute, Mr Harvey's family previously said they were "absolutely heartbroken" over the death of the lifelong Walsall FC fan.

"Our little Ryan was a bubbly lad who would do anything for anyone," they added.

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