The family of Luke Thompson, a 25-year-old father of two who was expecting a third child, has released harrowing footage of the final moments of his life after a single punch killed him in November 2023. The video shows Thompson being punched twice by Dylan Maxwell, 28, during a night out in Pontefract town centre. Thompson suffered catastrophic head injuries and died in hospital 10 days later.
Family's Plea for Awareness
Denise Louise Thompson, Luke's sister, said: "We have given permission to show people out there that one punch can kill, hoping it don't happen to anyone else's family. Yeah it's not nice to watch but it's putting it out there, you don't have to have a brawl for five/10 mins, it could take a matter of seconds to kill someone." The family hopes the distressing footage serves as a stark warning about how quickly violence can turn deadly.
Details of the Attack
Maxwell, who had just finished a shift as a pub door supervisor, went to a club where he encountered Thompson, a stranger. The trial jury heard Maxwell moved toward Thompson and punched him, knocking him to the ground. When Thompson got back up, unsteady and disorientated, Maxwell struck him again. Thompson fell backward, hitting his head on the ground and losing consciousness. Medical evidence confirmed a fracture to the base of his skull and a bleed on the brain. A passing car ran over Thompson as he lay in the road, but the court was told these injuries did not contribute to his death.
Sentencing and Impact
Maxwell was jailed for a total of 13 years and 10 months after being convicted of manslaughter and separate drugs offences. In a victim impact statement, Luke's mother Michelle said: "We live with the pain of losing him every day. It is a scar in our lives that will never leave. The impact of losing him is something that has affected the whole family differently. Some are suffering from mental health. This is something that has been going on since losing Luke and I think it will continue long into the future." Thompson's son was born on Christmas Day, just weeks after his death.
Police Warning
Detective Chief Inspector James Entwistle of West Yorkshire Police said: "My thoughts remain with Luke Thompson's friends and loved ones. I hope the sentence provides some small comfort to them as they move forward with their lives following their devastating loss. This is a tragic case that shows just how quickly a night out can turn into tragedy. Too often we see situations escalate through alcohol, frustration or split second decisions, with devastating consequences for everyone involved. At a busy time of year for nightlife, I would urge people to take a moment, walk away from confrontation and think about the lasting impact of their actions. No argument is worth a life."
