A HOMELESS man has been jailed for four-and-a-half years for killing a ‘gentle soul’ with one punch in an ‘unprovoked and cowardly’ attack.

Wayne Bradbury, 29, is today waking up behind bars after pleading guilty to the manslaughter of 37-year-old Andrew Hayes from Burnley.

Preston Crown Court heard Mr Hayes - described by his family as a ‘gentle soul’ - was completely unaware when Bradbury pulled up in a car on Lyndhurst Road and punched him in the face, causing him to fall and hit his head on the ground.

Bradbury never explained why he attacked his victim, but a court heard there was believed to be ‘bad blood’ between the men.

Police launched an investigation after Mr Hayes was found collapsed outside the Moneysave store in Lyndhurst Road on April 29, last year.

He initially appeared to have recovered from his head injury and refused treatment from paramedics.

But he collapsed again at his Cedar Street home and was taken to Royal Preston Hospital, where he died at 3am the next day.

Bradbury, who has previous convictions for robbery, burglary and causing grievous bodily harm, was originally charged with murder but admitted the manslaughter charge when appeared via videolink at an earlier hearing.

Yesterday community leaders said they hoped the case was a lesson to others about the consequences of ‘one punch’ attacks.

Det Insp Andy Cribbin, of Lancashire Police’s Major Investigation Team, said: “Wayne Bradbury has been sentenced for the completely unprovoked and cowardly assault he inflicted on Andrew Hayes which resulted in his very sad death.

“The attack was carried out in such a way that Mr Hayes was caught completely unaware and had no opportunity to defend himself.

“This case serves as a tragic reminder of how dangerous just one punch can be and the legacy of pain and destruction it can leave behind.

“My thoughts very much remain with Mr Hayes’ family and friends.”

Burnley MP Julie Cooper, said: “It is a tragic loss of life.

“For the family it is something close to closure, the court case is over and the sentence has been made.

“But it must serve as a lesson to everyone that actions have consequences and in this case the consequences were far worse than the man who made the punch could have imagined.”

Coal Clough with Deerplay Cllr Gordon Birtwistle, added: “Four and a half years doesn’t seem long enough for a life.

“This man will be out sooner than that, but the poor man who was killed is dead forever.

“The jury is nothing but independent and I would not want to change that, if the judge saw that was the correct penalty we must accept it.”