Video shows shocking moment doorman punches father to death after night out

This is the shocking moment a doorman punches a dad to death after a night out.

CCTV captures Dylan Maxwell, 28, 'bouncing like a boxer' before striking father-of-three Luke Thompson, 25, three times in the head.

Mr Thompson is seen falling to the ground and smashing his head against the road.

The brutal scuffle erupted between the two strangers after Thompson attempted to interrupt a heated discussion Maxwell was having with a girl, a court heard.

Tragically Thompson died in hospital 10 days after the attack due to a fracture to the back of the skull and a bleed to the brain caused by the blows to his head, a crown court was told.

Maxwell, of Wood View Avenue, Castleford, originally pleaded self-defence for his actions but was later found guilty of manslaughter by a jury following a five-day trial at Leeds Crown Court.

He was sentenced to 11 years for Thompson's death.

Passing sentence, Judge Robin Mairs told Maxwell: "Luke Thompson was no threat to you - at any stage. The last two blows were aimed at a man who was retreating and already unsteady from the first blow.

"You intended to cause harm, and then you ran away."

Maxwell and Thompson had both been out in Pontefract town centre, in Wakefield, when the incident happened in Front Street in the early hours of 19 November 2023, the court heard.

Maxwell had finished his shift as a pub door supervisor in the town and gone on to a club, before leaving in a taxi.

He asked the driver to stop the car on Front Street so that he could talk to a passing woman who he had earlier been with at the club. The woman got in the taxi.

As this was happening, Mr Thompson, who was walking nearby, approached the scene.

The jury heard that Maxwell moved towards Mr Thompson and punched him, knocking him to the ground.

Prosecutor David Outterside described Maxwell as "bouncing on his toes like a boxer, ready to deliver another blow."

When Mr Thompson managed to get back to his feet, unsteady and disorientated, Maxwell struck him again.

Mr Thompson fell backwards, hitting his head on the ground and was knocked unconscious.

Medical evidence confirmed he suffered a fracture to the base of his skull and a bleed on the brain, injuries from which he never recovered. He died on 29 November 2023 at Leeds General Infirmary.

In a victim impact statement from Mr Thompson's mother, Michelle, read to the court, she said: "From the very start we were told it was likely we would lose him. The days in the hospital were the worst times in our lives.

“We live with the pain of losing him every day. It is a scar in our lives that will never leave. The impact of losing him is something that has affected the whole family differently.

"Some of us take comfort in talking about him and sharing stories, but some of us find it too painful because of how he was taken from us."

Michelle revealed that many in the family have suffered from mental health struggles since her youngest child's death.

The court also heard that Mr Thompson's girlfriend was eight months pregnant with their third child at the time of his death.

Michelle said: "Luke never got the chance to meet his son, that chance was taken away from him. Three children will now grow up not knowing their dad.

"No sentence will ever take away the pain we have suffered over the past three years, but at least we know he will no longer be able to live his life free on the streets."

Maxwell fled the scene but was arrested a few days later.

Shortly after the assault, a passing car ran over Mr Thompson as he lay in the road causing a broken leg and pelvis injuries but the court was told these injuries did not contribute to his death.

Maxwell claimed he had acted in self-defence, telling police he had "pre-empted an assault" however the jury rejected that account.

The jury's verdict was unanimous.

Defence counsel Abdul Iqbal KC described the death of Thompson as "one shameful act" that his client, Maxwell, has great remorse for.

The doorman was also given a sentence of two year and 10 months, to run consecutively, after admitting possession of cocaine with intent to supply.

He was also sentenced to 18 months, to run concurrently, after admitting possession of cannabis with intent to supply, separate offences dating back to December 2021 in Castleford.

He was jailed for a total of 13 years and 10 months.

Detective Chief Inspector James Entwistle of West Yorkshire Police said: "My thoughts remain with Luke Thompson's friends and loved ones.

"I hope today's sentence provides some small comfort to them as they move forward with their lives following their devastating loss.

"This is a tragic case that shows just how quickly a night out can turn into tragedy. Too often we see situations escalate through alcohol, frustration or split-second decisions, with devastating consequences for everyone involved.

"At a busy time of year for nightlife, I would urge people to take a moment, walk away from confrontation and think about the lasting impact of their actions. No argument is worth a life."