Why it matters: Daniel Martin, 29, of Felix Road, Felixstowe, was convicted of manslaughter by a jury at Ipswich Crown Court on Friday, 6 September, after initially denying the charge. The case highlights the devastating consequences of street violence following an argument about a dog on Felixstowe promenade.
The details: On Saturday, 10 August last year, emergency services were called to a reported assault at the promenade by Undercliff Road West, Felixstowe. Charlie Greaves, 25, from Ipswich, suffered a traumatic brain injury after Martin hit him to the face, causing him to fall back and hit his head.
Comments had been made by Martin's group about Charlie's dog not being on a lead, which led to an argument between the pair. Charlie was unconscious for a period following the assault and was treated by paramedics before returning to a property in Carr Road, where he died the following morning.
Martin was initially arrested on suspicion of murder on Monday, 12 August, and was initially charged with murder before the indictment was changed to manslaughter.
What they're saying: In a statement following Friday's sentencing (5 September), Charlie's family said: "We would like to thank Suffolk police, in particular the investigation team and the family liaison officers, for their support throughout the investigation and the trial. As a family, we wanted to know the facts surrounding Charlie's death, and now we have these. Charlie had a heart bigger than Ipswich, and he doted on his grandparents. He was deeply loved and will be sorely missed by all his family and friends."
Detective Inspector Mark Hughes, who led the investigation, said: "I'm pleased there can now be some form of closure for Charlie's family. This has been a difficult year for them, losing a loved one and looking for answers over what happened that day. Charlie's death was completely avoidable. Martin chose to use physical violence, and this proved to have fatal consequences for Charlie, leaving a family without a loved one, while Martin has now been left without his freedom."
The bottom line: A family has been left devastated by an act of violence that Detective Inspector Hughes described as "completely avoidable", showing how a single moment of poor judgement can destroy multiple lives.
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