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| Man killed best friend with 'one punch' in 'silly' row | Man killed best friend with 'one punch' in 'silly' row |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A man has been jailed for killing his best friend of 45 years with a single punch during a "silly" row. | A man has been jailed for killing his best friend of 45 years with a single punch during a "silly" row. |
| Paul Lightowler, 60, died nine days after being hit by Richard Eveleigh, 63, after they had watched Liverpool's Europa League final defeat on 18 May. | Paul Lightowler, 60, died nine days after being hit by Richard Eveleigh, 63, after they had watched Liverpool's Europa League final defeat on 18 May. |
| Mr Lightowler's family had urged the judge at Liverpool Crown Court not to send Eveleigh, who admitted manslaughter, to prison. | Mr Lightowler's family had urged the judge at Liverpool Crown Court not to send Eveleigh, who admitted manslaughter, to prison. |
| However, Judge Clement Goldstone QC sentenced him to 28 months in prison. | |
| 'Extremely close' | 'Extremely close' |
| The court heard the men, who were both Liverpool fans, had watched the match and were walking along Gradwell Street in the city centre when they fell out. | The court heard the men, who were both Liverpool fans, had watched the match and were walking along Gradwell Street in the city centre when they fell out. |
| As the disagreement escalated Eveleigh, of Woodlands Drive, Barnston, Wirral, punched his friend, who fell and hit his head. | As the disagreement escalated Eveleigh, of Woodlands Drive, Barnston, Wirral, punched his friend, who fell and hit his head. |
| The court learned the pair were best friends and their families, who sat together for the sentencing, "remain extremely close". | The court learned the pair were best friends and their families, who sat together for the sentencing, "remain extremely close". |
| Eveleigh described how he had been treated with "great kindness" by Mr Lightowler's relatives. | Eveleigh described how he had been treated with "great kindness" by Mr Lightowler's relatives. |
| 'Magnanimity' | 'Magnanimity' |
| The victim's sister wrote a letter to the judge, pleading with him not to jail Eveleigh and said her family consider his death an accident. | The victim's sister wrote a letter to the judge, pleading with him not to jail Eveleigh and said her family consider his death an accident. |
| Judge Goldstone said the "magnanimity" of the dead man's relations "was something he has never experienced before". | Judge Goldstone said the "magnanimity" of the dead man's relations "was something he has never experienced before". |
| Det Sgt Phil Atkinson of Merseyside Police said: "Eveleigh had been friends with the victim for some 45 years but following an argument he punched Mr Lightowler once to the head. | Det Sgt Phil Atkinson of Merseyside Police said: "Eveleigh had been friends with the victim for some 45 years but following an argument he punched Mr Lightowler once to the head. |
| "Tragically, he hit the ground and suffered injuries which proved fatal. | "Tragically, he hit the ground and suffered injuries which proved fatal. |
| "This case goes to show that one punch can kill, and people who are intent on violence should think about the very serious consequences of their actions before raising a fist." | "This case goes to show that one punch can kill, and people who are intent on violence should think about the very serious consequences of their actions before raising a fist." |
| Judge Goldstone told Eveleigh he will have to serve half the sentence in custody. | Judge Goldstone told Eveleigh he will have to serve half the sentence in custody. |