Man jailed over single punch killing at barbecue

A farm worker has been jailed after killing a colleague with a single punch in an argument over music at a barbecue.

Robert Onicala, who is 20, punched Ion Niculae at the event in Nickle Lane, Chartham, Kent on 5 May 2024.

Mr Niculae, who was 51, was declared dead at the scene.

Onicala admitted manslaughter and was sentenced to four years in a young offender institution at Canterbury Crown Court on Friday.

Police said the attack happened when an argument broke out at the event which had been organised by farm workers to celebrate Easter.

The victim was slapped by another man, before Onicala punched him in the side of the head, knocking him to the ground.

Det Insp Colin McKeen said: "A man has lost his life and another will now serve a term in prison for a dispute which could so easily have been settled by reasonable compromise.

"This case shows all too clearly that using violence during an argument can have the most tragic consequences."

Follow BBC Kent on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected] or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250.