Student’s Night Out Ends in Tragedy: Alcohol-Fuelled Fight Leaves Man Dead
Yongqi Liang, 25, sparked a deadly brawl in the city centre this March. The victim, fellow student Xiangyu Li, 26, was found dead on Union Street after the brutal altercation.
Attack Caught on CCTV
Xiangyu, originally from Ji Lin City, had studied at the University of sheffield/" title="Sheffield" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked">Sheffield and was most recently at the University of Kent. CCTV footage revealed Liang initiating the fight, dragging Xiangyu to the floor and landing violent punches. A final blow to the head left Xiangyu unconscious and later pronounced dead despite paramedics’ efforts.
Detective Chief Inspector Mark Oughton said: “The footage showed Liang instigate a fight, which escalated dramatically. Liang dragged his fellow student to the floor, punching him violently. As the assault continued, Liang delivered a blow to Xiangyu’s head, he fell to the floor and never regained consciousness.”
“The defendant could be seen spending around eight minutes attempting chest compressions, and mouth to mouth resuscitation, before leaving the scene.”
Failed Escape and Guilty Plea
The morning after the attack, Liang tried to flee the UK, boarding a flight from Manchester Airport to Frankfurt. But police were waiting in Germany and arrested him under a European Arrest Warrant. He was returned to Doncaster and charged with murder.
At Sheffield Crown Court on 5 October, Liang pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced to five years in prison.
Family Devastated by Loss of Promising Young Man
DCI Oughton expressed sympathy for Xiangyu’s family: “I cannot put into words how difficult this has been for Xiangyu’s family to come to terms with. Their son came to study in the UK, full of hope and excitement, he’d made friends here and had a life here. Receiving contact from our officers was incredibly tough for them. My thoughts remain with them today.”
“Xiangyu was a fit, healthy young man who loved sport and music. His life was taken away in a violent incident, by someone he thought was his friend.”
The Recorder of Sheffield, Judge Jeremy Richardson QC, described the case as a “tragedy in every dimension.”
DCI Oughton added, “There is a great deal of sadness at the heart of this case. It was an attack fuelled by alcohol and was a wholly unnecessary and tragic end to a young man’s life.”
