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| Teen sentenced for killing helper | Teen sentenced for killing helper |
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| A teenager has been sentenced to eight years in a young offenders' institution for killing a man who tried to give medical help to his drunken friend. | A teenager has been sentenced to eight years in a young offenders' institution for killing a man who tried to give medical help to his drunken friend. |
| Nicholas Baty was repeatedly kicked by Joseph Thomas outside a gym in Brackla, Bridgend, south Wales. | Nicholas Baty was repeatedly kicked by Joseph Thomas outside a gym in Brackla, Bridgend, south Wales. |
| The 18-year-old from Bridged denied murder but was convicted of manslaughter at Cardiff Crown Court. | The 18-year-old from Bridged denied murder but was convicted of manslaughter at Cardiff Crown Court. |
| He was also sentenced to another two years in custody for an unconnected assault on another teenager. | He was also sentenced to another two years in custody for an unconnected assault on another teenager. |
| Sentencing Thomas to a total of ten years for the two offences, Judge John Curran said the fatal attack was "entirely unnecessary and pointless - brought about by binge-drinking violence". | Sentencing Thomas to a total of ten years for the two offences, Judge John Curran said the fatal attack was "entirely unnecessary and pointless - brought about by binge-drinking violence". |
| He added: "No sentence could ever put right the lasting feeling of devastation and loss." | He added: "No sentence could ever put right the lasting feeling of devastation and loss." |
| Father-of-one Mr Baty was returning from a funeral when he stopped to help the boy, who had collapsed after drinking too much outside the Physique gym on 4 January this year. | Father-of-one Mr Baty was returning from a funeral when he stopped to help the boy, who had collapsed after drinking too much outside the Physique gym on 4 January this year. |
| How can we express our feelings at losing our beloved Nicholas in such an unnecessary act of violence? John and Mary Baty, parents | How can we express our feelings at losing our beloved Nicholas in such an unnecessary act of violence? John and Mary Baty, parents |
| The court heard how Thomas, who was 17 at the time of the attack, had previously been drinking with the boy and threw Mr Baty to the ground and repeatedly stamped on his head. | The court heard how Thomas, who was 17 at the time of the attack, had previously been drinking with the boy and threw Mr Baty to the ground and repeatedly stamped on his head. |
| He died a month after the attack after slipping into a coma. | He died a month after the attack after slipping into a coma. |
| Following the sentencing, Mr Baty's elderly parents described the difficulty of losing him in such a way. | Following the sentencing, Mr Baty's elderly parents described the difficulty of losing him in such a way. |
| Speaking on their family's behalf, John and Mary Baty, who are in their 80s, said: "How can we express our feelings at losing our beloved Nicholas in such an unnecessary act of violence? | Speaking on their family's behalf, John and Mary Baty, who are in their 80s, said: "How can we express our feelings at losing our beloved Nicholas in such an unnecessary act of violence? |
| "Nicholas was a loving son, proud father of his beautiful daughter Katy, and a fantastic brother to Simon and Joss. | "Nicholas was a loving son, proud father of his beautiful daughter Katy, and a fantastic brother to Simon and Joss. |
| "He had a very large circle of friends and was well-known and respected throughout the golfing and surfing communities in South Wales and beyond. | "He had a very large circle of friends and was well-known and respected throughout the golfing and surfing communities in South Wales and beyond. |
| "He is sorely missed by all who knew and loved him. | "He is sorely missed by all who knew and loved him. |
| 'Every parent's nightmare' | 'Every parent's nightmare' |
| "The fact that over 500 people attended his funeral speaks volumes for how well thought of he was. | "The fact that over 500 people attended his funeral speaks volumes for how well thought of he was. |
| "We are in our 80s now and find ourselves living what can only be every parent's nightmare. | "We are in our 80s now and find ourselves living what can only be every parent's nightmare. |
| "Nicholas was always just a phone call away and would always do odd jobs for us around the house. | "Nicholas was always just a phone call away and would always do odd jobs for us around the house. |
| "He would regularly walk his dogs on the beach at Southerndown." | "He would regularly walk his dogs on the beach at Southerndown." |
| They said Mr Baty had undertaken first aid training while living in France and had believed he should help people who were in need of assistance. | They said Mr Baty had undertaken first aid training while living in France and had believed he should help people who were in need of assistance. |
| They thanked friends, relatives and neighbours for support, adding: "We would also like to thank Nicholas' colleagues at the Western Mail and also the officers from South Wales Police who have guided and supported us through this very difficult time." | They thanked friends, relatives and neighbours for support, adding: "We would also like to thank Nicholas' colleagues at the Western Mail and also the officers from South Wales Police who have guided and supported us through this very difficult time." |