Man jailed for life for the murder of Walsall man Ryan Harvey in Blackpool
Last updated 2nd Nov 2023
A man has been jailed for life for the murder of Ryan Harvey in Blackpool.
The Walsall man was taken to the Royal Preston Hospital on 25 June after being involved in a fight on Central Drive earlier that afternoon.
He sustained serious head injuries and died three days later.
A post-mortem examination concluded that the cause of Ryan’s death was blunt head trauma.
Following a trial at Preston Crown Court Paul Atherton, 38, of Knowsley Crescent, Thornton, was found guilty of murder.
A second man had earlier admitted a charge of assaulting Mr Harvey.
Thomas Heaney, 32, of Cross Street, Fleetwood, was originally charged with murder following consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service, but he admitted a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and the murder charge was dropped. He was sentenced earlier.
The court heard that while both Atherton and Heaney punched Ryan Harvey, CCTV and medical evidence demonstrated that Atherton struck the fatal blow.
In passing sentence, the judge at Preston Crown Court said that Atherton reacted in a "volcanic eruption of temper"
Atherton has been sentenced to life in prison, with a minimum term of 16 years.