Builder jailed for killing friend in 'boozy' punching game

A builder killed his former workmate in an alcohol-fuelled punching game over who could take the hardest blow, a court has heard.

Jason Thomas, 40, punched Liam Morgan-Whittle twice in the head which caused him to be knocked out and then collapse.

The 22-year-old sustained a bleed on his brain which led to his death in March 2023.

Mr Thomas, from Llanelli, admitted manslaughter and he has been jailed for two-and-a-half years.

Swansea Crown Court heard the pair, who previously worked for the same construction firm, had been "joking and laughing" for the majority of the conversation.

They had been at a friend's house in Llanelli, Carmarthenshire drinking alcohol and taking cocaine.

Prosecutor William Hughes KC said: "There came a point in the evening where they began a discussion which could be described as banter but became an increasingly aggressive argument as to who could take a punch better."

Michael Davies told police he had tried to discourage the punching game which took place at his flat.

He said Thomas told the 22-year-old: "I'll hit you first," and the victim replied: "Go on then."

Mr Davies said neither of the punches was "friendly", and told Thomas: "What have you done, there was no need for it."

Thomas allegedly replied: "He asked for it, I told him not to mess.

John Hipkin KC, defending, said: "Jason Thomas never intended that Liam Morgan-Whittle be seriously injured, let alone die. There was a punch-for-punch game the two had become involved in.

"Jason Thomas has struggled to cope with what he has done. His remorse is genuine."

Judge Paul Thomas KC said: "This tragic event was fuelled by your excessive alcohol and cocaine use which caused you to lose all common sense.

"You were warned by someone present not to do that. He could see the risk. But you in your substance-befuddled state, could not.

"Both the punches you delivered were with great force, sufficient to knock him unconscious, and then to go into cardiac arrest from which he never recovered."

Jonathan Pritchard of the Crown Prosecution Service said: "Regardless of what was said that night, Jason Thomas decided to use his fists and bears full responsibility for his actions.

"Our thoughts remain with Liam's family and friends who have suffered a terrible loss."

Claire Whittle said she will "never" comes to terms with the devastating loss of her "loving, caring and funny" son.

"No matter what I say, words cannot explain the pain, devastation, anguish, and anger we have endured since Liam was taken. Nobody should go through tragedy like we all have because it is unending."