Dennis Hurworth says 'sorry' after one-punch killing of Christopher Frost outside Cambridge pub

A Cambridge man convicted of killing his friend after punching him once outside a pub mouthed “I'm sorry” to the victim's family as he was led away from the dock.

Dennis Hurworth, 31, of Nuns Way, has been sentenced to four years in jail for the manslaughter of Christopher Frost, also 31, of Lode.

Hurworth is believe to have drunk at least eight pints of cider - and the two had been told to calm down after “play-fighting” inside the Brook pub and in its beer garden.

As they left at about 11.30pm, the had a short disagreement. Hurworth punched Mr Frost, causing him to fall to the ground and hit his head.

In front of a number of people, Hurworth said: “I only punched him once” and left the area.

Bystanders gave first aid to Mr Frost before paramedics arrived and took him to Addenbrooke’s Hospital. He was pronounced dead the following morning.

When officers went to Hurworth’s home, he tried to flee but was arrested close by.

Cambridge Crown Court heard that Dennis Hurworth had begun drinking in the Brook pub, in Brookfields, near Mill Road, where he worked as a chef, from about 4pm on August 17, 2018.

He was joined in the evening by Mr Frost, and they continued drinking together.

A tab set up by Hurworth showed he bought 11 pints of cider and it is thought he drank at least eight of them.

In a letter to the judge, Hurworth said: “I feel lucky to have known Chris. I can look back and think of him with fondness.

“More than anything else I wish I could bring him back, undo what I'd done and wish Chris' family would forgive me.”

Judge David Farrell QC told him: “Your act of pointless violence has caused so much pain and grief.”

He acknowledged that there was “genuine remorse”.

Detective Inspector Lucy Thomson said: “This case tragically demonstrates the devastating consequences one punch can have.

“Every weekend people, often fuelled by excessive quantities of alcohol, feel it is acceptable to get involved in violence. I hope the details of this case will make people think twice about their actions. Even one punch can kill.

“Our sympathies go to the family of Mr Frost, who I know will never fully recover from his loss.”

In a statement, Mr Frost’s family said: “The loss felt throughout our family is impossible to describe. We're devastated by the loss of our beloved Chris.

“We ask that our privacy is respected as we continue to grieve. We would like to thank and commend both the police and the staff at Addenbrooke's Hospital for their incredible support and care.”

After travelling from his home in Barcelona to be at the sentencing, Mr Frost's younger brother, Luke, told the BBC he would be open to meeting Hurworth in future.

Witnessing Hurworth's remorse, he said he “felt sorry for him” and that in future there was the “prospect of forgiveness”.