A killer on holiday in Blackpool who punched a stranger outside a nightclub has been locked up for his deadly 'unprovoked' attack. Rhys Jones, from Cannock , was on a night out when he 'squared up' to George Fenlon after his 'gentle' victim tried to intervene in an altercation. The 27-year-old threw a number of vicious punches, with one so horrific it proved fatal.
Barman Mr Fenlon suffered serious head injuries and was rushed to hospital. But he never regained consciousness and died just over three months after the brutal onslaught. His heartbroken partner gave birth to their daughter just a fortnight before his tragic death.
READ MORE: Flight attendant reveals wearing one thing can help fight jet lag Don't miss the biggest and breaking stories by signing up to the BirminghamLive newsletter here . Jones, of Hampton Street, Cannock, was yesterday, Friday, July 26, jailed for ten years and two months for manslaughter at Preston Crown Court . The court heard Jones was staying in Blackpool for a few days when he went out with a friend.
His 23-year-old victim, from Blackpool, was also out with friends in the early hours of August 15 last year. Jones met a girl and tried to convince her to abandon her boyfriend and go off with him. George Fenlon (Image: Lancashire Constabulary) Mr Fenlon then came across Jones arguing with the girl's boyfriend in an alleyway on The Strand.
'Very brief words were exchanged' between Jones and his victim before the killer 'squared up to him', the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said. Jones then threw 'several punches', causing Mr Fenlon to drop to the floor twice before he managed to quickly get up. But Jones then delivered a final punch which proved fatal.
Mr Fenlon was unconscious as he fell to the floor and hit his head. Killer Jones clapped his hands together before fleeing the scene and taking a taxi back to his hotel. He then returned to his Staffordshire home.
Paramedics rushed to the scene just after 2am and took Mr Fenlon to Royal Preston Hospital. The victim underwent a number of surgeries but died on November 22 - three months after he was violently attacked. A post-mortem examination concluded his cause of death was due to complications of the blunt head trauma he suffered during the assault.
Read More Related Articles Late Queen's 'frustration' in final days as she 'could barely lift a teapot' Read More Related Articles Four DWP and HMRC changes coming next month – see if you are affected Jones was initially arrested last September on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm with intent. He answered 'no comment' during his interview with police before being charged and remanded into custody. After Mr Fenlon died, Jones was charged with murder.
The defendant offered a guilty plea to an alternative charge of manslaughter which was later accepted by CPS. Prosecutors agreed Jones had not intended to kill Mr Fenlon or cause him really serious harm following a review of the evidence. In a statement read to the court, George’s partner Bethany Turner said she gave her daughter the middle name Georgia in honour of her dad.
She said: "Sadly George was never to see the beautiful daughter we created, as on August 15 George was attacked. The world changed for me in one phone call. Confusion at first, then upset and hurt.
" She added: "The majority of my pregnancy was bittersweet. On November 8, I had a midwife appointment. By this time, we knew there was nothing more that could be done for George.
"After lots of conversations and consideration, I decided the only thing I could do was to ask if I could have an emergency C-section. At least this way, in some way our little girl could have some sort of memories to look back upon in later years. "Some tangible connection between her and her Daddy.
On November 8, Clara was born and I gave her the middle name Georgia after her Daddy. "Within just four hours of her coming into the world she was able to meet her Daddy. She laid under his arm for a little while, so content and peacefully, she fitted perfectly in the nook of his arm.
"Two weeks was all the time Clara got with her Daddy, two weeks which were spent getting as many pictures and keepsakes as we all could so that Clara would always know how much her Daddy loved her. On November 22, my world fell apart, my heart smashed into a million pieces, and my daughter’s life changed before it had really begun. "Clara will never know the love of her Daddy, never have a hug in her Daddy’s arms.
She will never be able to fully understand how great he was, how much he cared for her or feel his teddy bear-like arms holding her close." George’s mum Melissa Fenlon paid tribute to her 'gentle' and 'loving' son. She said in a statement: "George was always known by all that knew him as a gentle, loving and kind young man.
Read More Related Articles Foreign Office Greece travel warning as UK tourists warned of 'possible prosecution over taking photos' Read More Related Articles Annie Kilner 'trapped in a nightmare and wants Lauryn Goodman out of her marriage' "He was previously a popular barman, well known in Blackpool; he loved his job and was well known for his demonstrations of cocktail making." Mrs Fenlon added: "George was always a constant source of support for me throughout his life. Me and George faced the world together.
"George was my son and best friend; he was my rock and my life. George could have been the most amazing and perfect dad. He would have been the kind of dad every girl should have.
"Clara will never have hugs and cuddles from her dad, she will never have George, she will never know George, the George we all knew and loved so much." det Insp Steve Hallam, of Lancashire Constabulary's major incident team, said: "My thoughts continue to be with George's family and loved ones. "The assault by Jones left George with terrible injuries and in a coma, which meant he was unable to see his baby daughter when she was born.
"This case highlights what devastating consequences assaults of this nature can have." Joanne Close, senior Crown prosecutor for CPS North West, added: "I would like to offer my sincere condolences to Mr Fenlon's family and friends, who have lost a much-loved man to senseless violence. "Jones carried out an unprovoked attack upon an innocent stranger in the street.
He then fled the scene and returned home with no thought to the devastating consequences of his actions. "Mr Fenlon has been deprived of the ability to support his partner in bringing up their baby daughter, who will grow up without her father in her life.".
