Drug dealer jailed for 20 years for killing vulnerable man

A drug dealer has been jailed for 20 years for killing a vulnerable man from Yate. Police say Jason Betts' friends and family were devastated by his death.

The 38-year-old died in hospital after being found unconscious at a flat on Celestine Road by a friend on 5 March 2015.

A post-mortem examination concluded Mr Betts had suffered a head injury which had caused a bleed to the brain.

Nathan Skeen, of Ermine Road, London has been jailed for 20 years. He was found guilty of manslaughter and wounding with intent after a five-week trial at Bristol Crown Court.

He’d previously admitted being involved in the supply of class A drugs, including heroin and cocaine.

A second man, Nixon Apire, of New Barnet has been sentenced to 15 years. He admitted assaulting Mr Betts a week before his death, and also drugs charges.

Witnesses say both men were responsible for this earlier attack in which Mr Betts was stabbed in the leg, had cigarettes stubbed out on his face and was hit over the head with a bottle and a glass.

The Senior Investigating Officer says the case demonstrates how dangerous the drug trade is.