A MAN has been jailed for four years after he threw a “cowardly punch” which killed Caerphilly man Jake Sweeney on a night out in August.

Father-of-one Jason Grovell, 24, of Gelli Deg, Caerphilly County Borough, admitted one count of manslaughter at Cardiff Crown Court today.

Mr Sweeney, 26, suffered serious head injuries following the attack outside the Irish Tymes pub in Caerphilly town centre at around 1.45am on Sunday, August 24. He was taken to the University Hospital of Wales in Cardiff but died four days later.

Cardiff Crown Court heard how Grovell took a run up to Mr Sweeney and shouted “Boom! Kick that!” as he punched him on the side of his face.

Mr Sweeney fell onto a parked taxi car before landing on his head on the pavement.

Prosecutor Michael Jones said: “The defendant threw a gratuitous, forceful, unexpected and cowardly punch. Mr Sweeney was no threat to anyone whatsoever.”

Grovell later told police he had been drinking and taking cocaine with friends while on a night out.

Mr Jones added Mr Sweeney was acting as a “peacemaker” and was trying to stop a fight from escalating.

The court was shown CCTV footage, which followed the movements of both Mr Sweeney and the defendant.

Sentencing Grovell to four years’ imprisonment, Judge Eleri Rees said: “This was a cowardly act by you. Mr Sweeney had no opportunity to defend himself. It’s tragic that a life has been cut short at such a young age. You will have to live for the rest of your life in the knowledge that you have taken someone else’s life.”

The sentence was met with cries of disappointment from the public gallery. One man shouted: “It’s not long enough!”

Judge Eleri Rees praised the parents of Mr Sweeney for their “great dignity and courage” after they read out emotional statements to the court.

Dad Mark Sweeney said: “I’ve lost a loving son and a good friend. We shared so much together, including our birthdays. I’m totally heartbroken. My life will never be the same again.”

His mother, Nancy Mantle, said: “To anyone Jake was a gentle giant but to me he was my baby boy.

“The day he died part of me died with him.”

Detective Chief Inspector Roger Fortey, of Gwent Police, said: “On that fateful evening, Jason Grovell punched Jake Sweeney and is clearly responsible for Jake’s death, cutting short his young life.

“This is a tragic case, and a stark reminder that it can take only one punch to kill a person and devastate so many lives.

“Our thoughts remain with Jake’s family and friends at this very difficult time.”