Man jailed for punch that killed ex-soldier

Leeds Crown Court heard yesterday that Steven Rostron suffered a fractured skull and brain damage on September 20 last year when he was hit by Jonathan Atkins outside Martha's Alehouse, in Well Lane, Guiseley, Leeds.

He was taken to hospital but his condition deteriorated and he died on September 29.

Heather Gilmore, prosecuting, told the court Mr Rostron, 48, was involved in an earlier argument with Atkins inside the pub after Atkins intervened in a row between him and the manageress Danielle Waterworth.

Mr Rostron was escorted outside by a customer where he was stopped from riding off on his motorcycle because of the amount of drink he had taken.

He was still outside when Atkins. his girlfriend and others left the premises and there was a second confrontation.

Stephen Brabinger, a disc jockey, said Mr Rostron was abusive and took a couple of steps towards Atkins, who then punched him once in the face causing him to fall backwards so that his head hit the ground with a "sickening thud."

Atkins told police: "I'm just so sorry for him and his family, really I can't believe this has happened."

Atkins, 27, then of Oxford Road, Guiseley, was jailed for 30 months after admitting the manslaughter of Mr Rostron, a father-of-two, also of Guiseley.

Sentencing him, the Recorder of Leeds, Judge Peter Collier QC said he accepted his remorse was genuine but there had to be a jail term because he had taken a life.

Adrian Pollard, representing Atkins, read a letter from the defendant in which he apologised for what had happened and the devastation and grief he had caused.