A builder has been sentenced to two-and-a-half years in prison after a drunken game of “who can take the hardest punch” led to the death of his former workmate.
Fatal Night of Drinking and Drugs
Jason Thomas, 40, admitted to the manslaughter of 22-year-old Liam Morgan-Whittle, who suffered a fatal brain injury after being struck twice in the head. The incident took place in March 2023 at a friend’s flat in Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, where the pair had been drinking alcohol and taking cocaine.
Swansea Crown Court heard that Thomas and Morgan-Whittle, who had previously worked together in construction, had spent much of the evening joking and laughing before their conversation turned into an argument about who could take the hardest punch.
Witnesses Tried to Stop the Game
A friend at the flat, Michael Davies, told police he attempted to discourage the game, but Thomas insisted on going first. He struck Morgan-Whittle twice, knocking him unconscious. Witnesses described the blows as forceful rather than playful, prompting Davies to confront Thomas, saying: “What have you done? There was no need for it.”
Thomas allegedly responded: “He asked for it. I told him not to mess.” Moments later, Morgan-Whittle collapsed, suffering a catastrophic brain bleed that led to cardiac arrest. Despite being rushed to hospital, he did not recover.
Judge Condemns Substance-Fuelled Decision
During sentencing, Judge Paul Thomas KC criticised the role of alcohol and cocaine in the tragic incident, stating: “This tragic event was fuelled by your excessive alcohol and cocaine use which caused you to lose all common sense.” He highlighted that a witness had warned Thomas against taking part, recognising the potential danger, but “in your substance-befuddled state, you could not.”
A Family Left in Grief
In a heartbreaking statement, Liam’s mother, Claire Whittle, described the unbearable pain of losing her “loving, caring and funny” son. She said: “No matter what I say, words cannot explain the pain, devastation, anguish, and anger we have endured since Liam was taken. Nobody should go through tragedy like we all have because it is unending.”
Jonathan Pritchard of the Crown Prosecution Service emphasised Thomas’ responsibility in the case, stating: “Regardless of what was said that night, Jason Thomas decided to use his fists and bears full responsibility for his actions.”
