South Gloucestershire man jailed for one punch manslaughter
George Baylis killed Scott Hendy with one punch in a confrontation outside a pub
Last updated 29th May 2024
A South Gloucestershire man has been sentenced to four and a half years in prison for manslaughter after admitting the killing of another man in Pilning.
30-year-old George Baylis from the village punched Scott Hendy who was 46 once, after a confrontation in a pub car park in the early hours of 2nd March, causing a fatal head injury.
In a letter to the judge read out at Bristol Crown Court Baylis, from Redwick Road, said he was very sorry, while during proceedings we heard he was arrested little more than half an hour after the incident, breaking down in front of officers and saying he never meant to hurt anyone.
A number of moving tributes were issued about Mr Hendy from friends after learning of his death. From Severn Beach, it's thought up to 700 people attended his funeral.
His mother, Jennifer Hendy, said ‘not a day that goes by where we don’t think about Scott’.
In her victim personal statement, she said: “He was the kindest, loveliest character and all-round amazing son. His personality was infectious and was always one for being the joker.
“His sense of humour was legendary, and his loss will be felt from all over Bristol such was the reach of his infectious personality.”
She added: “This is an horrendous situation we find ourselves in and our lives will never be the same."
Continuing, Mrs Hendy said Scott's family knew none of this would have happened if he wasn't punched.
However, she added they understand the incident has probably ruined Baylis' life as well.
"...If anything we feel sorry for him and his family," she said.
"We don’t have any hatred towards him, we accept he probably didn’t mean to kill our son."
One of Scott's children, Lewis, said his father was the heart and soul of the family.
He said: “One of the hardest things to accept is that I can no longer reach out to Dad. There will be no more phone calls to ask for his advice, no more texts to share a quick joke, no more chats about work or life.
“I still pick up the phone to call or message him, eager to share something funny that’s just happened. Then reality kicks in and I get that sinking feeling again because he’s no longer there.
“It feels like I’ve lost my compass, my guide, and the person I could always turn to when I needed help.”
Detective Chief Inspector Mark Almond, of the Major Crime Investigation Team says the case highlights the tragic reality that just one punch can kill.
Speaking about Baylis he said: "In that split second he lashed out he unintentionally took Scott’s life and now has received a lengthy prison sentence.”