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PC Neil Doyle killing: Two men jailed for manslaughter PC Neil Doyle killing: Two men jailed for manslaughter
(35 minutes later)
Two men who killed an off-duty policeman in a "joint and repeated attack" during a night out in Liverpool have been jailed for manslaughter.Two men who killed an off-duty policeman in a "joint and repeated attack" during a night out in Liverpool have been jailed for manslaughter.
PC Neil Doyle, 36, died after being struck by a "pile driver" punch in the early hours of 19 December 2014.PC Neil Doyle, 36, died after being struck by a "pile driver" punch in the early hours of 19 December 2014.
At Liverpool Crown Court, Andrew Taylor, 29, was jailed for seven years and six months and Timmy Donovan, 30, of Huyton, for six years and 10 months.At Liverpool Crown Court, Andrew Taylor, 29, was jailed for seven years and six months and Timmy Donovan, 30, of Huyton, for six years and 10 months.
A third man, Christopher Spendlove, was cleared of manslaughter in July.A third man, Christopher Spendlove, was cleared of manslaughter in July.
The trial judge, Mr Justice Turner, told the pair, who were convicted under joint enterprise law: "There is no such thing as a death-proof punch."The trial judge, Mr Justice Turner, told the pair, who were convicted under joint enterprise law: "There is no such thing as a death-proof punch."
The judge rejected any suggestion the men acted in "excessive self-defence."The judge rejected any suggestion the men acted in "excessive self-defence."
He said the family may never know who struck the fatal blow and said had the punch landed slightly to the left or right "the consequences would have been entirely different."He said the family may never know who struck the fatal blow and said had the punch landed slightly to the left or right "the consequences would have been entirely different."
PC Doyle suffered an injury to an artery in his neck, which led to bleeding over the surface of the brain.PC Doyle suffered an injury to an artery in his neck, which led to bleeding over the surface of the brain.
It was the same injury that killed Australian cricketer Philip Hughes, the trial heard.It was the same injury that killed Australian cricketer Philip Hughes, the trial heard.
Two of his colleagues, Merseyside officers Michael Steventon and Robert Marshall, were also injured in the confrontation.
In a victim impact statement read in court, PC Doyle's widow Sarah said her world had been "torn apart".In a victim impact statement read in court, PC Doyle's widow Sarah said her world had been "torn apart".
She said they had been "inseparable" and "soul mates".She said they had been "inseparable" and "soul mates".
"I feel numb, emotionless, lost, like I am among the outside of the situation looking in.""I feel numb, emotionless, lost, like I am among the outside of the situation looking in."
Taylor's barrister, Lord Carlile, said PC Neil Doyle was a "victim of a terrible set of circumstances."Taylor's barrister, Lord Carlile, said PC Neil Doyle was a "victim of a terrible set of circumstances."
'Face the music''Face the music'
In a letter read to the court, Taylor, a former Forest Green Rovers footballer, said: "I offer my most sincere apologies to the family.In a letter read to the court, Taylor, a former Forest Green Rovers footballer, said: "I offer my most sincere apologies to the family.
"I will regret walking up Seel Street every day.""I will regret walking up Seel Street every day."
He said he had brought great shame upon his family and accepted full responsibility.He said he had brought great shame upon his family and accepted full responsibility.
The trial heard Donovan, a sports events manager, had travelled to Germany on the day of PC Doyle's killing.The trial heard Donovan, a sports events manager, had travelled to Germany on the day of PC Doyle's killing.
He was also sentenced for causing wounding with intent.He was also sentenced for causing wounding with intent.
His legal representative Howard Godfrey said: "I do not accept that it is fair to conclude that it was Mr Donovan who struck the fatal blow."His legal representative Howard Godfrey said: "I do not accept that it is fair to conclude that it was Mr Donovan who struck the fatal blow."
The judge replied: "Well he shouldn't have gone to Germany, should he?The judge replied: "Well he shouldn't have gone to Germany, should he?
"Instead of staying behind and facing the music, he decided he'd skip the jurisdiction.""Instead of staying behind and facing the music, he decided he'd skip the jurisdiction."
Det Supt Mike Shaw, of Merseyside Police, said: "We hope the prison sentences that Andrew Taylor and Timmy Donovan are now starting will serve as a stark reminder about the devastating consequences of alcohol-fuelled violence that can have on so many people.
"Neil Doyle lost his life because of this moment of aggression and PCs Robert Marshall and Michael Steventon suffered serious injuries, too."
He said Taylor and Donovan had also ruined their lives and the incident could have been avoided "had the defendants not chose to inflict violence on three men enjoying an innocent Christmas night out".
"No-one's night out should end like this."