Man has been jailed after one-punch attack in Blackpool

Anthony Harley, 53, died in hospital a month after he was punched by Harry Fowle on Church Street on February 19.

At around 8.30pm Mr Harley approached a car parked in a taxi bay and told the occupants they could not park there.

Anthony Harley (Image: Police)He was then approached by Harry Fowle who confronted him and punched him once. Mr Harley fell, banging the back of his head causing the trauma which would take his life on March 17.

Fowle, 34, of Brook Street, Blackpool, was originally arrested on suspicion of section 18 wounding and was charged with manslaughter following Anthony Harley’s death.

He pleaded guilty to manslaughter in February and was sentenced at Preston Crown Court today (Tuesday, May 21).

He was jailed for one year and 10 months.

In a victim personal statement Anthony Harley’s father Paul said: “The year 2023 has been a difficult one for me and all of my family.

“My wife Anne, who I was married to for 57 years, was diagnosed with cancer in December 2022 and she shockingly died soon after on January 17 2023. We were all grieving and absolutely heartbroken as a family.

Harry Fowle (Image: Police)

“Then my son’s life was taken away in the most soul-destroying way leaving me without my son and his sisters without their younger brother.

“I remember a phone call telling me Anthony had been involved in an incident and was in intensive care. I fell to pieces and was devastated at hearing this. It felt like a bomb was being dropped on our lives.

“We were asked as a family to attend the hospital some three and a half weeks after the assault on Anthony. We were told the doctors had done everything they could, and Anthony’s brain had died.

“Having to turn the machines off and take out the tubes that were keeping Anthony alive was absolutely heartbreaking.

“This is more or less saying goodbye at that point and it absolutely ripped our hearts out. It didn’t feel real, and it is something which we will never get over. As a parent I never considered the thought of my son dying before me.”

Detective inspector Simon Pritchard, of the force major investigation team, said: “This case once again shows the devastating consequences which can result from a single punch and my thoughts today are with Mr Harley’s family who have lost a much-loved son and brother.”