A man has been jailed after killing an army veteran in a pub beer garden after an argument over what food they were eating.
Paul Ainscough, 57, who served in the military for 24 years, was found dead at his home in Chorley on June 24, 2024.
That was two days after he'd been assaulted by Liam Slack, 34, of Langton Brow, Eccleston, Chorley, leading to injuries to his chest and ribs.
When Paul's son went through his dad's phone, he found messages which Paul had exchanged with Slack.
The messages indicated there had been an argument between the pair when they had been out drinking together on the afternoon of Saturday, 22nd June 2024.
It had been caused by Slack grabbing chicken wings off Paul at the Stag pub beer garden, Worden Lane, Leyland.
Slack had thrown Paul’s rucksack on the floor and pushed Paul into a wooden fence.
In a reply sent by Paul in the exchange of messages, he wrote: “You scoffed your chicken then without asking started to grab mine.
“Then you threw my rucksack and as I got up to retrieve it you attacked me, pushing me into a solid wooden fence, breaking my ribs on the right side. I can hardly move.”
Paul’s son then reported the findings to Lancashire Constabulary and an investigation into his death was launched.
Slack was arrested on June 27, initially on suspicion of section 18 assault and later on suspicion of murder.
After consulting with the Crown Prosecution Service, he was charged earlier this year with his manslaughter.
In a victim impact statement, Paul’s son Mark said: “Our Dad/Paul was our hero and the person who loved us more than anyone in the world.
“He was a proud granddad, he adored his grandchildren and used to love seeing them, buying them gifts and sharing stories with them about his time in the army.
“Our dad was a Regimental Sergeant Major in the British Army where he served his country for 24 years with courage and honour.”
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In reference to Slack, Mark continued: “My dad over his years had faced numerous dangerous situations, in the army and also as a police officer but nothing like what you have done.
“You attacked my dad when he was off guard, which is despicable, he was vulnerable you knew that.”
Slack, 34, of Langton Brow, Eccleston, Chorley, pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was today jailed by a judge at Preston Crown Court for four years and two months.
He will have to serve a minimum of two-thirds of that term before being considered for parole.
Det Insp Marc Armstrong of our Force Major Investigation Team, said: “Liam Slack was responsible for Paul’s death and he now starting a sentence of imprisonment.
“This has been a traumatic time for Paul’s family and the trauma of losing a much-loved man will continue. My thoughts are very much with them.
“I’d like to thank the public who came forward during the investigation and provided statements which enable us to establish what happened on that afternoon in June 2024 and helped bring Slack to justice.”
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