A man killed his best friend of 20 years with a single punch after having a ‘silly argument’.
Jay Webster, 28, argued with his mate Benjamin Lloyd, 27, on a night out in Caerphilly on Saturday 1 April.
Webster was reportedly turned away from a pub because he was too drunk, leading to the friends arguing.
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As this argument became physical, Webster struck Lloyd causing him to fall to the ground.
Reported by WalesOnline, a witness said: “I can recall Mr Lloyd hitting the ground hard and the noise was horrible.
“It was almost like the sound of a snap as his head hit the ground."
Lloyd died at the scene and Webster maintains he ‘did not mean to do it’.
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He says the fight followed a ‘silly argument’ and after his friend fell from the blow, he begged him to ‘get up’.
The pair had been best mates since they were kids and were ‘thick as thieves’.
Webster was sentenced on Tuesday 6 June at Cardiff Crown Court after pleading guilty to manslaughter in May.
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The family of his friend Lloyd issued a statement following his sentencing, which said: “We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone for their kind words and gestures.
"It has been overwhelming to physically see just how much Ben was loved and appreciated by everyone who knew him and even by people that hadn’t met him but only knew of him.
"Ben's death has left an unfillable void in our lives and a pain that will never ease, but we also understand the pain that Jay and his family must also be feeling.
"He didn’t set that evening to hurt his best friend and it's such a tragedy it ended this way.
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"Ben loved Jay and they were as thick as thieves growing up.
"Although we are heartbroken that we have lost such an amazing man we also know that Ben wouldn’t want any malice or ill feeling over such tragic incident."
Detective Superintendent Nick Wilkie, the senior investigation officer, said: “This is a tragic case that has resulted in the needless loss of a life.
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“The circumstances of Ben's death should act as a warning to others, just one punch can ruin the lives of both the victim and the person who throws the punch.
“In a split second a person can become a killer or be killed.
“This is a reminder - if you face confrontation while out, please remember the sensible thing is to turn around and walk away.”
Webster has been sentenced to five years and three months in prison for the manslaughter of his best friend.
Jess Battison