Overview
- The assault began on 21 December when Nathan Gothard faced a dispute at the Crown Inn in Appleby Magna and was escorted out before returning and being involved in a fight.
- Sixty‑six‑year‑old David Darke stepped in to help others, was struck by a single punch that caused severe head injuries, and died in hospital six days later.
- A jury acquitted Gothard of murder but convicted him of manslaughter after around two and a half hours of deliberation earlier this month.
- On 22 May Judge William Harbage KC sentenced Gothard to 10 years in prison, saying the punch was not lawful self‑defence and describing the act as senseless and fatal.
- The victim’s family described the death as avoidable and confirmed organ donation saved lives, and police said Gothard had chances to walk away and that the attack devastated the family.