Killer jailed for single punch manslaughter of Barnsley man

A Barnsley man convicted of killing a father-of-three during an unprovoked '˜single-punch' attack has been jailed for almost five years.
Sheffield Crown Court.Sheffield Crown Court.
Sheffield Crown Court.

Jason Derbyshire, 33, of Welland Court, Higham, was sentenced to four years and ten months in prison at Sheffield Crown Court yesterday after admitting causing the death of 46-year-old Nicholas Bedford at an earlier hearing.

Derbyshire was charged with manslaughter after Mr Bedford suffered a fatal injury during an attack inside Barnsley’s Blue Room Bar in the early hours of November 2 last year.

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Detective Chief Inspector Dave Stopford, senior investigating officer in the case for South Yorkshire Police, said: “My thoughts are with Mr Bedford’s family who have lived through this nightmare and continue to live with this devastating tragedy.

“Derbyshire’s remorse and admission will not bring back Mr Bedford or take away the trauma, pain and suffering caused to his family.

“This was a clear cut case where Derbyshire approached his victim from behind with absolutely no provocation and delivered what turned out to be a fatal blow. He was violent, calculated and reckless and as a result now faces a much-deserved jail sentence.”

The case highlights the need for people to consider the consequences of violence, he said, adding: “Any form of violent behaviour, even a single punch, you run the risk of severe consequences.”