The family of Luke Thompson, a 25-year-old father of two, have released distressing footage of his final moments before he was fatally injured in a one-punch attack in Pontefract, West Yorkshire. The video, made public with their consent, shows Thompson being knocked to the ground twice during a confrontation in November 2023. He sustained severe head injuries and died in hospital 10 days later.
Family's plea to prevent further tragedies
Thompson's sister, Denise Louise Thompson, stated: "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 5/10 mins, it could take a matter of seconds to kill someone."
The attacker, Dylan Maxwell, 28, was sentenced to 13 years and 10 months in prison after being convicted of manslaughter and separate drug offences. The court heard that Thompson was expecting a third child at the time of the attack; his son was born on Christmas Day, just weeks after his death.
Victim impact statement
In a victim impact statement read to the court, Thompson'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."
Police urge restraint
Detective Chief Inspector James Entwistle of West Yorkshire Police said: "My thoughts remain with Luke Thompson's friends and loved ones. I hope today's 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."
The family hopes the release of the footage will keep Thompson's death in people's minds and prevent another family from experiencing the same devastating loss.
