One-punch killer jailed for 'devastating' attack

A one-punch killer who left a man to die has been jailed.

Ryan Greaves punched Daniel Beard, who fell to the floor and hit his head on 1 July 2025 at an address in Snodland, Kent.

Greaves, 32, fled the scene and Beard was airlifted to a London hospital with severe head trauma. He died from his injuries more than a month later.

At Maidstone Crown Court on Thursday, Greaves was sentenced to four years and 10 months in prison.

Kent Police said Greaves, of Snodland, was arrested the day after the incident and was charged with grievous bodily harm and released on bail.

He was rearrested and charged with murder following Beard's death on 6 October 2025.

Beard's family said in a statement that they had "endured unimaginable suffering".

"We lost our kind and loving Daniel, who played a central part in our family life," they added.

The family added that they had to witness his "slow decline and tragic death in intensive care".

Greaves pleaded guilty to manslaughter on 12 November.

Det Sgt Alastair Worton said the sentencing reflected the severity of the attack and highlighted how a single action could have "devastating impacts".

"He [Greaves] has never provided a clear explanation for why he attacked Daniel that day, but nothing deserved that level of violence which resulted in a man losing his life," Worton said.

"He cowardly fled the scene and left Daniel, who was clearly in a serious state, which shows he was only thinking about himself."

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