A PROLIFIC offender has pleaded guilty to the killing of a ‘gentle soul’ in an unprovoked attack in the street in Burnley.

Homeless Wayne Bradbury, 29, appeared before Preston Crown Court and pleaded guilty to the ‘one-punch’ manslaughter of Andrew Hayes in Lyndhurst Road last April.

The victim was completely unaware when Bradbury pulled up in a car and punched him to the face, causing him to fall, hitting his head on the ground.

Mr Hayes was found collapsed outside the Moneysave store but initially appeared to have recovered from the attack and refused treatment from paramedics.

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

Bradbury, who has previous convictions for robbery, burglary and causing grievous bodily harm, has never explained why he attacked Mr Hayes at their chance meeting in Lyndhurst Road, though it was accepted there had been ‘bad blood’ between them, the court heard. He appeared via a video link and pleaded guilty to manslaughter.

Bradbury was originally charged with murder but prosecutor Francis McEntee said the plea was acceptable after medical reports had been reviewed.

Mr McEntee added: “Yes, it was a hard blow and yes, it knocked Mr Hayes to the ground but it wasn’t the impact of the blow, rather the impact of his head hitting the ground that was the cause of the fatal injury.”

Tim Storrie, defending, said he hoped the guilty plea entered by his client was of some comfort to Mr Hayes’ family, who sat in the public gallery.

Det Insp Andy Cribbin, of Lancashire police’s force major investigation team, said: “This was a completely unprovoked and cowardly assault, carried out in such a way that Andrew Hayes had no opportunity to defend himself.

“He was caught completely unaware and tragically it resulted in his very sad death. Once again, this case highlights that one punch can be fatal and can leave behind a legacy of pain and destruction for family and friends.

“At no point throughout the investigation has Bradbury expressed any remorse for his actions.

“But I am pleased that his guilty plea has at least saved Mr Hayes’ family the ordeal of having to sit through a trial.”

Bradbury was remanded in custody by Judge Pamela Badley, to be dealt with following pre-sentence reports on August 21.