Tougher sentences needed for one-punch assaults, says Hull family
Scott Akester's killer was convicted of manslaughter and given a seven-and-a-half year sentence for punching him outside a pub in Hull.
The family of Scott Akester have launched a petition calling for tougher sentences for one-punch attacks such as the one which took Scott's life.
Scott was out drinking in November 2022 when his friend of 17 years Michael Pearson punched him, causing him to fall back and hit his head.
His Dad, Steve Akester proposed a minimum sentence for one-punch killers. He said: "People would think: 'If I lash out I'm going to get ten years for this.' It's a bit different from thinking 'I'm going to get three years and I'll be out in 15 months'.
"We need a deterrent and this is what I'm going to push for. I'll get that 10,000 signatures. If I have to go out there canvasing myself we will get it."
At time of writing, the petition has 847 signatures. Any petition reaching 10,000 signatures will require a government response.
Scott's mum, Debbie Akester said: "The sentence didn't feel enough, we felt a little bit let down by the system because we were expecting a lot more than what was actually given.
"It doesn't seem enough, nothing will ever feel enough but it just doesn't feel as though we've got justice with the sentence they've given out."
As well as tougher sentencing, his family are trying to raise awareness of one-punch deaths so people realise the consequences of throwing a punch.
Scott's partner Naomi Allen said: "It's devastated us. We just don't want anybody else to go through what we're going through."
This can happen, you don't have to be small, you don't have to be weak. Scott was six foot tall, he was a big lad - it can happen to anyone."
Steve has been doing the rounds of local pubs spreading his message to customers and bar staff, asking them to reconsider serving people who are drunk, and trying to make sure people going for a drink remember his story before they lash out.
Steve said: "We know the heartache of it, we know the tragedy a single punch can cause. If there's an argument, stand back, count to ten, deep breaths - walk away. Nine times out of ten you can sort it out the next day when you're sober."
You can follow the link to the petition here.