Nick Medlin death: Man jailed for 'one punch' manslaughter

Michael Hudson admitted manslaughter on the first day of his trial

A man has been jailed for six-and-a-half years for killing an off-duty prison officer with a single punch.

Nick Medlin, 57, died shortly after midnight on Christmas Day outside the Rose Inn pub in Pier Street, Ventnor, on the Isle of Wight.

The father-of-two was the victim of an "unprovoked assault" as he left the premises with his family, police said.

Michael Hudson, 33, admitted manslaughter on the first day of his trial at Winchester Crown Court.

Nick Medlin died at the scene outside a pub in Ventnor

Hudson, of no fixed address, had entered a plea of not guilty at a hearing in January.

Police said an argument started when Mr Medlin, who worked at HMP Parkhurst, was sworn at during a meal in the pub.

Det Ch Insp Dave Brown said: "This disagreement continued outside when people started leaving the pub. Michael Hudson then punched Nick once in an unprovoked assault on Pier Street.

'Totally heartbroken'

"The punch fractured Nick's jaw and caused him to fall backwards, hitting his head on the ground. Sadly Nick was pronounced dead at the scene."

A statement released by Mr Medlin's family following his death said they were "completely devastated and totally heartbroken".

Mr Medlin, from Ventnor, played bass in a punk band called Manufactured Romance.

Two men aged 31 and 26 who were arrested on suspicion of murder in December were later released without charge.

Police said the case was a reminder that alcohol-related violence could have "devastating consequences".

Mr Medlin was found in Pier Street in the early hours of Christmas Day