Moment rugby player gets into fight with golfer before fatal blow

Moment rugby player, 19, gets into fight with champion golfer, 43, before launching fatal outside kebab shop: Killer jailed for four years for manslaughter

• Morgan Wainewright was sentenced to four years in a young offender institution
• He admitted the manslaughter of keen golfer Andrew Nicholas on June 26
• The duo got into a heated exchange, which was apparent on CCTV of the night
• Wainewright struck Mr Nicholas, who fell to the floor and struck his head
• He never regained consciousness and died in hospital four days later 

Morgan Wainewright (pictured), now 20, was sentenced to four years in a young offender institution after pleading guilty to manslaughter

This is the moment a teenage rugby player got into a heated exchange with a champion golfer twice his age – moments before delivering a final blow which proved fatal.

Morgan Wainewright, now 20, was sentenced to four years in a young offender institution after pleading guilty to manslaughter.

On June 26, he punched keen golfer Andrew Nicholas, 43, so hard he fell back and struck his head on a pavement outside a late-night kebab shop.

Much-loved Mr Nicholas suffered a heart attack and a brain injury and never regained consciousness.

Flags were flown at half mast at golf clubs up and down the country following the tragedy in Monmouth, South Wales.

The two men had never met each other – Wainewright was out drinking with friends and Mr Nicholas, known as Bandy, was on a golfing trip to Wales.

Wainewright had also taken cocaine and ketamine and was described as ‘very wound up’ and spoiling for a fight.

Newly released CCTV shows the altercation which prompted the fight, in which Wainewright and Mr Nicholas appear to have a heated exchange.

Mr Nicholas appears to whisper something in Wainewright’s ear before the teenager, appearing agitated, shoves the former.

In the footage, Mr Nicholas takes a moment to compose himself as more words are exchanged, before he appears to lunge at Wainewright.

Several other men attempt to intervene, which is when the CCTV stops. 

Newly released CCTV shows the altercation which prompted the fight, in which Wainewright and Mr Nicholas appear to have a heated exchange

Prosecutor James Wilson said: ‘One witness described the defendant as wanting to fight anyone of any age – he was looking for trouble.

‘The two men met by chance in Monmouth town centre at around 1am after the pubs had closed. Wainewright assaulted Mr Nicholas who was deliberately punched and he immediately fell to the ground.

‘He was hit to the right side of the chin and hit his head on the floor. He never regained consciousness.’

There were sobs from the public gallery as CCTV of the fatal blow was shown at the sentencing hearing at Newport Crown Court.

Mr Nicholas, of Poole, Dorset, died four days later at the University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, with his family at his bedside.

Mr Nicholas appears to whisper something in Wainewright’s ear before the teenager, appearing agitated, shoves the former

His mother Karin Nicholas said: ‘No family should have to suffer in this horrendous manner – he was the most caring son a mother could have wished for.

‘Andrew was loved and respected by so many. He could be described as a perfect gentleman. Flags were flown at half-mast at many golf clubs.’

Sarah Jones, defending, said Mr Nicholas’ death was ‘unnecessary and tragic’ and he should still be alive and making plans for Christmas.

She said: ‘The defendant has told me he is ashamed of his behaviour and he will have to live with what he’s done.’

Judge Daniel Williams told Wainewright: ‘You involved yourself in a hostile confrontation. At so many points during this evening this terrible outcome could have been avoided.

‘Mr Nicholas was a cherished son, a prized brother and uncle whose loss is an unending agony for those who feel it so keenly.’

Mr Nicholas’ mother said: ‘Andrew (pictured) was loved and respected by so many. He could be described as a perfect gentleman. Flags were flown at half-mast at many golf clubs’

A family spokesman said after the hearing: ‘The events of 26 June that lead to Andrew’s death by the actions of another will be a pain that won’t ever heal.

‘The trauma and destruction it has caused to so many of us, both family and friends, won’t ever be forgotten.

‘We are pleased the individual responsible has been brought to justice and sentenced for his crime. His actions have caused damage beyond words and no sentence will ever be long enough.

‘It is some comfort that a young person with no respect, maturity, honour and with such a disregard for the life of others has through his own actions destroyed his future and is now going to serve a prison sentence and carry this label for life.’

The spokesman said ‘Bandy’ was a ‘loving, passionate, hardworking, caring, and compassionate person who was loved by his family and friends and adored by his nieces who miss him terribly.

He said: ‘He was widely respected throughout the golf community, and it has been described by his golf club and Dorset county golf as an irreplaceable loss.

In the footage, Mr Nicholas takes a moment to compose himself as more words are exchanged, before he appears to lunge at Wainewright. Several other men attempt to intervene

‘His funeral was attended by over 300 people which shows the love and respect that he held.’

Tournaments at Knighton Heath Golf Club in Bournemouth will be named in Mr Nicholas’s honour.

Senior investigating officer Detective Superintendent Nick Wilkie, said: ‘This is a clear case of an altercation escalating to a horrific level of violence that resulted in Andrew Nicholas suffering fatal injuries.

‘The circumstances of Mr Nicholas’ death should act as a warning to others as to how a senseless act of violence can have devastating consequences.

‘As a result of Wainewright’s actions, Mr Nicholas was injured and never recovered, leaving the lives of his family and friends forever changed.

‘I know today’s sentencing will never bring Andrew back, however I hope this outcome brings some consolation and closure for them.’

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