Men jailed for eight years for killing grandad outside Valleys pub

Three pub-goers were jailed today for killing a father protecting his teenage son during a row over an after-work pint.

Buidling worker Wayne Letherby, 42, took son Jordan, 19, out for a beer when a row broke out with two men and a young woman in the pub.

Son Jordan spoke up for the girlfriend of one of the men after accusing him of being "aggressive" to her.

But a court heard Jordan was followed outside - and his father Wayne was battered to death as he tried to defend his son from their attack.

Grandad Wayne Letherby died from a brain injury. Credit: Family Photo

The scaffolder died from a tear in the artery of his brain after receiving a number of blows to the head as he lay on the floor. His son escaped with cuts and bruises.

Three attackers Dean Doggett, Jamie Leyshon, both 26, and Kylie Thomas, 25, were arrested after CCTV caught the "vicious assault" on camera outside the De Winton pub in Tonypandy in the Rhondda.

Police at the scene of murder in Tonypandy in April. Credit: ITV Wales News

Son Jordan told the court how his father was being attacked by Leyshon in the street outside in the April killing.

Wife Linda Letherby told the court she couldn't come to terms with losing her husband.

Mrs Letherby said: "Never in a million years would I expect something like this to happen to our family. I expected to grow old with Wayne and watch our kids grow up.

"I still, to this day, keep thinking that Wayne is going to walk up the garden path and make this nightmare go away."

She added that she believed her son Jordan would have died if his father had not been there to protect him.

More: Two men admit manslaughter of grandad outside Valleys pub

She finished the statement saying: "I will always love you. Your whole family loves you, and we will never, ever forget.

Doggett and Leyshon, both Tonypandy, were charged with murder. But the charge was dropped when they pleaded guilty to admit manslaughter.

Both were jailed for eight years.

The third attacker, Kylie Thomas, also denied murder but admitted violent disorder. She was jailed for 12 months.

Mrs Justice Nicola Davies said: "The part you played in another man's death will affect you for the rest of your life and you will never forget it.

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