Man who punched stranger 'full force' on night out found guilty of manslaughter
A man who punched a stranger "full force" in the face, fatally wounding him, has been found guilty of manslaughter.
Carl Chinnock was found with serious head injuries at a car park in the seaside town of Porthcawl, Bridgend, in June this year.
He was taken to a local hospital, where he later died.
Christopher George, 27, from the village of Pyle in Bridgend, had denied manslaughter but was found guilty following a trial at Cardiff Crown Court.
The court heard George punched Mr Chinnock, who he didn't know, after drinking with friends and taking drugs on the night of 23 June.
At around 11.30pm, George was walking with his friends but left them to approach the victim, who was heard shouting in Salt Lake car park.
Onlookers described how they say Mr Chinnock fall backwards and hit his head after being punched "full force to the face" by George.
The defendant then fled the scene and caught a taxi home, leaving his friends to administer first aid until police and paramedics arrived.
The court heard how while he was being driven home to Pyle, he told the taxi driver that he had given somebody 'a slap’.
Mr Chinnock suffered a severe bleed to the brain and was taken to the nearby Princess of Wales hospital, where he died four days later.
His devastated partner Sandi later paid tribute to "my soulmate, my best friend and the love of my life" in a heartbreaking statement.
Senior Investigating Officer Detective Chief Inspector Mark Lewis, from South Wales Police, said: “Carl’s family and friends lost their loved one because of Christopher George’s violence.
"We know from speaking to witnesses that the defendant had been fuelled by alcohol and drugs and he was out looking for trouble that night.
“As this case proves, one punch can kill - anybody who believes that it is okay to exert such violence on another person is gambling with their victim’s life, and of course their own.
“Christopher George’s life changed in an instant that night, but his victim, Carl Chinnock, needlessly lost his life. My sincere thoughts today are with Carl’s family and friends.”
Christopher George will be sentenced on 7 January.