Man who killed half-brother in drunken row jailed

A man who admitted killing his half-brother in a drunken confrontation on a street has been jailed for five years.

Kyan McWhir, 31, fatally punched 52-year-old father-of-two John McWhir on Crown Street in Hebden Bridge on 27 July after an argument spiralled out of control, Bradford Crown Court was told.

Sentencing the defendant on Monday, Judge Jonathan Gibson said John McWhir's death had had an "immense" impact on his family.

Kyan McWhir, of Vernon Place in Todmorden, had earlier pleaded guilty to one charge of manslaughter.

The court had previously heard that the argument had started outside the One Stop shop in the town at about 21:00 BST after Kyan McWhir had taken exception to a comment made by his half-brother.

CCTV played to the court showed Kyan McWhir give the former soldier a slap before walking out of the camera's field of view.

He then returned to the scene and, despite a bystander who knew the pair trying to act as a peacemaker, the 31-year-old was seen kicking the victim in the chest and knocking him to the ground.

He was then seen standing over his half-brother with his fist clenched, but refrained from hitting him further and walked away before John McWhir was seen standing up.

The court was told the confrontation then continued further down the street out of sight of that CCTV camera.

Eyewitnesses reported Kyan McWhir had "goaded" John McWhir into attempting to hit him and the older man had swung and missed.

The prosecution said at that point the younger man hit John McWhir in the face, causing him to fall backwards and hit his head on the ground.

John McWhir was taken to hospital with a serious brain injury, but died the following day.

Kyan McWhir, who had previous convictions, including one for causing death by dangerous driving, was arrested just before midnight on the evening of the fight, despite trying to run from police when they saw him on Burnley Road in Todmorden, Bradford Crown Court heard.

In a statement read to the court, the victim's partner, Lisa, said: "Life will never be the same without John."

"I'm gobsmacked this has happened. It doesn't feel real," she added.

In a letter read out to the court on Kyan McWhir's behalf, he said he was "sorry beyond words" to John's family and friends.

"I can't ask them for forgiveness because I've yet to find it for myself," he added.

"If there was any way to take back their pain, I'd be the first to do so. I loved John."

Jailing him, Judge Gibson said no sentence "could ever make up for the life of your brother".

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