A 20-year-old man has been jailed for seven years after delivering a single blow to the head of a Sheffield man, resulting in his death.
On Saturday, July 15, 2023, 56-year-old Richard Wheeler was out celebrating his birthday with friends in Sheffield city centre when he was attacked by Liam Jones, then 20. The assault occurred near The Bessemer pub on Orchard Lane, leaving Wheeler unconscious with a traumatic brain injury.
Despite emergency services arriving promptly, Wheeler succumbed to his injuries on July 25, 2023. CCTV footage captured the entire incident, and Jones was apprehended just three minutes from the scene.
On Friday, December 8, 2023, Jones appeared before Sheffield Crown Court and was sentenced to seven years in prison. He will also serve an additional three years on license upon his release.
In an earlier hearing on November 8, 2023, Jones pleaded guilty to one count of manslaughter, two counts of grievous bodily harm, one count of actual bodily harm, one count of possession of an offensive weapon, and one count of affray.
Det. Insp. Adam Watkinson, who led the investigation, expressed his condolences to Wheeler’s loved ones and stated that the sentence, while not compensating for their loss, brings some level of justice. He also vowed to continue pursuing those who engage in violence on South Yorkshire streets and bring them to justice to safeguard communities.
Richard Wheeler’s family released a statement following the sentencing, requesting respect for their grieving loved ones and emphasising that Rich was deeply loved and well-liked. They expressed their sorrow over losing him in such a manner and stated that his spirit will always be with them.
