Man jailed for killing Ben Grosvenor, attacked on night out in 2021
The 28-year-old was in a coma for two years, before he died last November
A man has been jailed for six years, after being convicted of the manslaughter of 28-year-old Benjamin Grosvenor in Stoke-on-Trent's city centre.
He was attacked by Benjamin Wallbanks while getting food after a night out in November 2021.
He sustained significant head injuries which resulted in a bleed on the brain, and died after two years in a coma.
Wallbanks, 41, from Fenton in Stoke-on-Trent, pleaded guilty to manslaughter in September.
Today (Friday 15th November), he was sentenced to six years in prison, with three years on extended licence.
He was also given a six-month concurrent sentence for an assault occasioning actual bodily harm of another man.
Wallbanks and Mr. Grosvenor did not know each other, Staffordshire Police added.
"The most kind, caring and loving person"
In a tribute to Ben, his family said: “Our hearts are, and always will be, broken. Ben was our beloved son, brother, uncle, and nephew. He was the most kind, most caring and loving person you could ever meet. He would help anyone without question, he would make you laugh with his humour, he would make you smile easily, and he loved his family deeply.
“He truly was the most genuinely kind soul, and we are utterly devastated at his loss. He was one of life's good guys and he didn't deserve to have his life so cruelly taken away from him. Ben suffered for two long years in a coma before losing his life. He didn't deserve to suffer in this way, and nothing will ever alleviate the pain we feel from losing our Ben.
“There is a huge hole in our hearts with him gone and we will never get over losing him. We miss and will continue to miss him every single day. We have waited three years to get some kind of justice for Ben. Now that the investigation is over, we can now focus on grieving as a family.”
Detective Inspector, Adrian Webb, said: “Benjamin and his family have suffered immeasurably since November 2021 and I offer them my heartfelt condolences. A single punch, wielded by Wallbanks has had devastating and fatal consequences.
“I hope that Wallbanks’ conviction and prison sentence bring some closure to friends and family of Benjamin as they continue to come to terms with their tragic loss.”