Victim's last words read to court as killer sentenced over fatal argument about who could take a punch better

A man killed a former work colleague in an argument about which of the pair could take a punch better. Jason Thomas has been jailed for the manslaughter of Liam Morgan-Whittle after a night out in Llanelli.

Police and paramedics attended a property in Robinson Street in the early hours of Sunday, March 25, 2023, where they found Mr Morgan-Whittle gravely ill. The 22-year-old was taken to hospital but could not be saved.

Swansea Crown Court heard today that the pair had argued over who could withstand the most punches. Despite a friend telling Thomas to "leave it", the 40-year-old killer said "I'll hit you first" and the victim's last words were: "Go on then." Thomas then threw two ferocious punches, causing Mr Morgan-Whittle fatal injuries.

A witness recalled telling Thomas: "What have you done, there was no need for it." Thomas replied: "He asked for it, I told him not to mess."

Thomas, 40, of Felinfoel Road, Llanelli, was initially arrested on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm but was later charged with the manslaughter of Mr Morgan-Whittle, with whom he had briefly worked for the same construction company. He pleaded guilty on the first day of his trial at Swansea Crown Court.

Mitigating, John Hipkin KC told the court Thomas had not initially pleaded guilty as he planned to defend himself on the grounds of the victim agreeing to be punched. But a Court of Appeal ruling in a different case just before the trial set a precedent that consent is no defence to assault.

Mr Hipkin said: "Jason Thomas never intended that Liam Morgan-Whittle be seriously injured, let alone die. There was a punch-for-punch game."

The court heard moving victim impact statements from Mr Morgan Whittle's family. His mum Claire described her