A KILLER who punched a father so hard that he suffered a fatal fractured skull when his head hit the ground has been jailed for three years.

Jeremy Warren, 30, of Adeline Road, Boscombe, was convicted of the manslaughter of popular plasterer Jason Peers by a Winchester Crown Court jury last month.

The nine-day trial heard that Warren, who has served a previous prison sentence for wounding, hit Mr Peers of Vanguard Road, Bournemouth following an altercation in the outdoor smoking area at the Dolphin Pub in Holdenhurst Road.

After punching him, Warren who claimed he had acted in self-defence, got into a taxi and went into Bournemouth town centre with friends, leaving Mr Peers lying on the ground.

Warren’s defence Mark Balysz said that Warren had believed that he was “under threat” from Mr Peers when he punched him.

Warren has shown “genuine remorse” for the attack and will “never forget the consequences of his actions”, added Mr Balysz.

Judge Guy Boney QC, told the court: “This is one of those tragic and unusual cases where the sentence which has to be passed leaves everybody dissatisfied as a death has occurred in circumstances totally unexpected.

“Even you had to admit it was a severe blow. There was evidence you were circling like a boxer about to strike. This was not a careless punch and it had dreadful consequences.”

Speaking afterwards Mr Peers’ sister Debbie Miles said that the family, which includes Mr Peers’ 15-year-old daughter Jordan, is now facing their first Christmas without him.

It is the second time the family has been hit by tragedy after Mr Peers’ brother Mark was killed in a hit and run crash in Winton eight years ago.

Debbie said: “Whatever he had got – three years or 30 years, it won’t bring Jason back.

“It’s not just Christmas. It’s every day and birthdays as well.

“It’s a life sentence for us as a family. He has still got his life and Jason hasn’t.”