Ruth Bowskill, Temporary Chief Crown Prosecutor for Thames and Chiltern Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said:
“This case shows how a moment of madness can change people’s lives forever and represents a tragedy for the family of Brian Holmes. The victim was attacked in a show of extraordinary violence in a car park after a petty argument with Alan Watts. Not long before this fateful day, Mr Holmes had been given the all clear from cancer. His family and friends have been devastated by his death.
“Although Alan Watts admitted punching Mr Holmes, he claimed that Mr Holmes was the aggressor and that he punched him once in self defence. Mr Holmes was in fact trying to defend himself from Mr Watts’s violent outburst and the jury found Mr Watts guilty of manslaughter despite his denials.
“I would like to pay tribute to Mr Holmes’s family for their wholehearted support of this investigation and prosecution and the dignity they have displayed while hearing the details of how he died.
“We have worked closely with Bedfordshire Police since this investigation was launched and as a result of the hard work and diligence of the prosecution team, a just outcome has been achieved.
“Nothing will bring Mr Holmes back to his family and friends, but we hope that today’s conviction and sentence brings them at least a small sense that justice has been done. Our thoughts are very much with them at this time.”
