Richard English defends Manslaughter charges

A drunk who accidentally killed his pal with a punch he aimed at his own brother is jailed.

William Lynch, 41, took a swing at his sibling Andrew in a ”childish” rage but hit 62-year-old Derek Szostok who hit his head on a stairwell leaving him with a fractured neck.

Mr Lynch of Leigh, Greater Manchester was jailed for four years and three months after being convicted of manslaughter following a trial at Liverpool Crown Court.

In mitigation defence counsel Richard English said his client had vowed never to drink again. He said of Lynch and the victim: ”They were truly great friends. They regarded each other almost as akin to father and son, and when in hospital Mr Szostock spoke of ‘his son’ and loved him in that role.

“While nothing can come close to the loss of a brother and member of your family the loss Mr Lynch bears is very great.

“He has not only lost a loved friend but he bears the burden of having been the cause of that loss and that is a very heavy burden for anyone to have.

Passing sentence Judge Mark Brown said Mr Szostok was “a kind soul” and told Lynch: “You swung a blow at your brother but struck Mr Szostok instead. I accept you did not intend to hit him and there was no animosity directed towards him. Your actions were reckless.