A British construction worker has been sentenced to 2.5 years in prison after accidentally killing his friend in a reckless, alcohol and drug-fueled contest over who could take a punch best.
Jason Thomas, 40, had been drinking and using cocaine with Liam Morgan-Whittle, 22, at a friend’s house in Llanelli, South Wales, when the two started boasting about their ability to take a punch, according to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).
What started as banter escalated into a dangerous game, with Thomas punching Morgan-Whittle twice in quick succession, knocking him unconscious. Despite the efforts of emergency responders, Morgan-Whittle suffered catastrophic head injuries, a brain bleed, and went into cardiac arrest, dying in March 2023, according to Dyfed-Powys Police.
Fatal Game Fueled by Alcohol and Drugs
The pair, who had previously worked together on construction sites, had been socializing at the home of their mutual friend, Michael Davies.
According to prosecutor William Hughes, their conversation shifted from lighthearted joking to an increasingly aggressive argument over who could take a punch better.
Davies recalled that Morgan-Whittle had first allowed him to throw a punch, before Thomas stepped in and delivered the fatal blows.
“What have you done? There was no need for it,” Davies reportedly told Thomas after the knockout.
“He asked for it, I told him not to mess,” Thomas replied.
Judge: “Substance-Befuddled State” Led to Tragedy
Despite the devastating consequences, Thomas’ defense attorney, John Hipkin, argued that he never intended to harm his friend and had been struggling to come to terms with the incident.
However, Judge Paul Thomas condemned his reckless behavior, blaming excessive alcohol and cocaine use for clouding his judgment.
