A TEENAGER has been jailed for the manslaughter of a BRIT School pupil.
Benjamin Hayes, 18, was jailed for four and a half years at The Old Bailey on Monday, after being convicted of killing 17-year-old George Verrier.
Mr Verrier, an apprentice electrician, died after being struck by a single punch from Hayes following a heated argument in Southborough Street, Bromley, on September 1 last year.
The court heard that Hayes and George, who knew each other through playing football, both attended a 16th birthday party at a house in Blenheim Road, Bromley.
After the party had finished at about 12.30am, there were a series of disturbances and Mr Verrier was said by witnesses to be acting as a peacemaker, telling everybody to "Chill, leave it" and "Calm down".
The court was told that Hayes was "pumped up" and wanted to fight another man, but he instead he punched Mr Verrier in the face, causing him to fall and hit his head on the ground.
Although he was temporarily knocked unconscious, he managed to get up and walk to a friend's house where he stayed the night.
But the following morning, his friend found the teenage victim unconscious in bed. He was rushed to hospital but died later that day.
A post-mortem examination gave the cause of death as severe bleeding and pressure to the brain, caused by a fracture to the skull.
Hayes, of Constable Mews, Bromley was initially arrested on September 1 but later arrested and charged with murder.
He was said to be of previously good character and described in court as a "talented" student.
Speaking after sentencing on Monday, Detective Chief Inspector Diane Tudway, from the Met's Homicide and Major Crime Command, said: "Benjamin Hayes punched George Verrier in an unprovoked assault. Tragically, George was trying to calm him down from his wound up state and he lashed out.
"While he never intended such grave consequences, he is clearly responsible for George's death and cutting short a young man's life. "George's death is a stark reminder that it can take only one punch to kill a person and devastate many lives."
