Police warn of fatal danger of one-punch attacks

A senior police officer has warned people of the danger of getting into fist fights after two men recently died from single-punch attacks.

Daniel Martin from Felixstowe, Suffolk was convicted of manslaughter and has yet to receive his sentence after he fatally punched Charlie Greaves, 25, from Ipswich, in August 2024.

Tyrone Busch, from Dereham, Norfolk, was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to eight years in prison for killing Michael O'Dwyer, 31, with a single punch in July 2024.

Det Supt Phill Gray, from Suffolk Police, said: "Two men lost their lives needlessly as a result of these incidents. Two other men have ruined their own lives and are now convicted killers."

The body of Mr Greaves was discovered at Suffolk Sands Holiday Park, Felixstowe, on 11 August 2024.

The court heard that Martin had told Mr Greaves to put his dog on a lead at a pub, which lead to an argument before Martin punched the victim, causing him to fall back, hit his head and lose consciousness for a time.

Mr Greaves had returned home and gone to bed, his grandfather found him unresponsive the next morning.

Martin had denied manslaughter but was found guilty by a jury.

Det Supt Gray said: "This was a situation [Martin] could have simply walked away from.

"The victim may have been argumentative towards him, but at no time did he attempt to hit or threaten Martin.

"Daniel Martin was significantly bigger than the victim and any force delivered to a much smaller person is likely to have a disproportionate impact – akin to a heavyweight boxer punching a featherweight."

Mr O'Dwyer was found unconscious at his home the morning after being struck in the jaw outside the Red Lion pub in Dereham, Norfolk, on 20 July.

Judge Alice Robinson described the incident at Norwich Crown Court as "serious unprovoked violence".

Det Supt Gray said that Busch "seemed to have used irritation and annoyance at the victim coming over and speaking to him in a beer garden as an excuse to punch him – it was an attack that seemingly came out of nowhere".

He added: "In each case alcohol had been consumed by both parties involved and would also appear to have been a factor."

Both Suffolk and Norfolk Police forces said there had been a number of recent incidents where people had been punched once "which could have quite easily have resulted in further loss of life".

"I urge everyone to reflect on these cases and how lives can be ruined in a matter of seconds. One punch can kill," Det Supt Gray said.

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