A THUG who punched a dad to death outside a Wetherspoons in a “meaningless” attack has been caged.
Kyle O’Callaghan, 30, fled after brutally attacking Marcus Carpenter outside the Picture House Wetherspoons in Ebbw Vale on February 20.
Sign up for The Jattvibe newsletter
Thank you!
Marcus, 37, tragically died from his injuries in hospital four days later Credit: Daily Post
Kyle O’Callaghan (left) and Marcus Carpenter (right) outside Wetherspoons in Ebbw Vale moments before the fatal punch Credit: Daily Post
Marcus, 37, tragically died from his injuries in hospital four days later.
Newport Crown Court heard O’Callaghan was “spoiling for a fight” before launching the fatal assault.
CCTV footage played to jurors showed the thug delivering two blows to Marcus after asking him to step outside the pub.
Judge Daniel Williams said: “You came into the pub later that evening, you headed to the table where Mr Carpenter and his friends were.
PURE EVIL
Moment thug repeatedly kicks & punches dog he kept in cage with no water
RAP SHEET
Moment drug dealer films himself rapping doing 120mph while banned from driving
Kyle O’Callaghan, 30, killed Marcus Carpenter, 35, after punching him outside a Wetherspoons pub in Ebbw Vale Credit: Daily Post
Kyle O’Callaghan, 30, attempts to escape from a window in his home during his arrest Credit: Daily Post
“You recognised one of his friends from him working at a pub in Tredegar.
“You then approached Mr Carpenter and asked who he was, he told you his name and you said ‘Do you want to come outside and have a word with me a minute’.
“You say in your pre-sentence report you had heard Mr Carpenter had been saying things about you to other people.
“You’re very quick to think you have been wronged by others, whatever the truth of the situation.
“Mr Carpenter went outside with you. There didn’t appear to be any bad feeling between the two of you.
“What happened outside the pub was caught on CCTV, you were spoiling for a fight, you felt disrespected.”
The court heard O’Callaghan went back inside the pub after the attack and told others Marcus was not moving.
When one of Marcus’ pals confronted him and asked what he had done, O’Callaghan fled the area.
The defendant, of no fixed abode, was later arrested and charged with manslaughter.
He sat emotionless in the dock as he was sentenced to 10 years and six months in prison, along with an extended licence period of four years.
Paying tribute after Marcus’ death, his devastated family described him as a “beloved son, partner and dad”.
They said: “Marcus was one of a kind with the kindest of hearts who would help anyone out he could.
“His passing has left a massive hole in the lives of everyone close to him. Please give the family time to grieve at this heartbreaking time.”
Following the hearing, Detective Chief Inspector Neil Blyth of Gwent Police said: “I’d like to pay tribute to the friends and family of Mr Carpenter who showed great strength and dignity throughout this investigation.
“I know today’s sentencing of O’Callaghan will never bring Mr Carpenter back.
“However, I hope this outcome can provide the victim’s family with some measure of justice and allows them to start rebuilding their lives.
“I also want to thank the support of the local community, some of whom provided vital evidence to us, for their help in bringing O’Callaghan to justice.
“I would like to remind our communities that acts of violence are not acceptable.
“As a result of O’Callaghan’s actions, Mr Carpenter was seriously injured following an assault and never recovered, leaving the lives of his family and friends forever changed.
“The circumstances of Mr Carpenter’s death should act as a warning to others as to how a senseless and needless act of violence can lead to devastating consequences.”
