• Found on the kitchen floor by police
• Court confirms brain hemorrhage as cause of death

A British court sentenced a man to prison after leaving his close friend to die alone on his kitchen floor following a violent attack fueled by alcohol and some illegal substances, according to the hearing.

Christian Dean, 36, was found dead at his home on Graig Road in Ynyshir near Porth on 26 June.

Dean and Thomas Griffiths, 34, had been drinking at Dean’s home when the latter, who had boxing experience, delivered a “sudden and forceful punch” before leaving the scene.

During the Cardiff court session, Griffiths pleaded guilty to manslaughter after denying murder charges and was sentenced to 11 years in prison.

An additional two years were added to his sentence as part of an extended licence period after release.

The court confirmed that the cause of death was a brain hemorrhage resulting from trauma.

Investigations revealed that Griffiths had spent the night drinking before the attack, then joined Dean at his home.

Later, Dean’s girlfriend received a call from Griffiths saying, in effect, “I hit him,” while a neighbor overheard Griffiths on the phone saying, “I just killed someone.”

Upon visiting Dean’s home, he was found on the kitchen floor in a pool of blood, with additional traces in the hallway and on the front door, indicating contact between Dean and Griffiths before leaving him to bleed out.

Police later went to Griffiths’ parents’ home, finding him in a bedroom wearing boxing attire, and arrested him. Police bodycam footage recorded him asking in disbelief, “Are you serious, mate?” while describing Dean as “his best friend.”

In a statement read to the court, Dean’s 12-year-old daughter said her heart was “broken” by her father’s death.

During a police interview, Griffiths claimed he had not “harmed or fought with Dean.”

However, his defence stated that he changed his plea to guilty after hearing the evidence, noting that he “does not remember what happened” and had written a letter of remorse to the court.

During sentencing, Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke said Griffiths launched an “unexpected and forceful” attack and added that his boxing experience meant he “must have known the harm a punch could cause.”

South Wales Police Detective Chief Inspector Matt Davies said after the ruling: “We hope the sentence provides some measure of justice and allows the family to begin healing. Christian’s death is a stark reminder of the consequences of violence and its far-reaching effects on families and communities. His legacy will remain alive in the hearts of those who loved him.”