A man has been jailed for six years for a single punch assault from which the victim was later to die in hospital from his injuries.
Police received a report that the victim, Noel Reynolds, was walking in the Balkwell Avenue area of North Shields when he was assaulted, on December 10, 2021.
The 37-year-old, from South Shields, was taken to hospital where he remained in an unresponsive state, until his death was declared 24 days later, on January 3, last year.
An investigation was immediately launched and William Longworth, of Gunerton Place, North Shields, was arrested in connection with Mr Reynolds’ death.
Read more: Murder probe after North Shields one punch attack victim dies
The 37-year-old was later charged with manslaughter and perverting the course of justice.
He pleaded guilty to both charges at Newcastle Crown Court, in September last year.
The case came back before the court on Friday (February 17), when The Recorder of Newcastle, Judge Paul Sloan, sentenced him to a total of six years behind bars.
Longworth’s partner, Marie Office, also 37, and of Gunerton Place, was also arrested as part of the police investigation in the case.
She was charged with doing acts tending and intended to pervert the course of justice.
Office also pleaded guilty and she was on Friday sentenced to a nine-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months.
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Detective Chief Inspector Louise Jenkins, of Northumbria Police’s Major Investigation Team, said: “Our thoughts remain with the loved ones of Noel.
“We will continue to offer his family specialist support while they attempt to come to terms with what has happened.
“No sentence will ever bring him back, but I hope today’s sentence offers Noel’s family some semblance of justice.”
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Get more from The Northern Echo. Save 20% on a Premium Plus digital subscription this month. Click here She added: “I also hope this sentence is a stark warning to all those who think engaging in violence is ever the answer.
“A single punch can cause so much devastation and can even be deadly.
“That one decision could ruin a lot of lives, including your own and create a ripple effect of misery.”