Nathaniel Philip jailed following death of Robert Hiscoe

Nathaniel Philip, of no fixed abode, left 37-year-old Robert Hiscoe with an unsurvivable brain injury after knocking him down and repeatedly punching him in the head as he lay on the floor following a fight outside the Butterbowl pub in Farnley in the early hours of Sunday, May 5.

Mr Hiscoe, of Leeds, was given emergency treatment at the scene by ambulance staff and was rushed to hospital in a critical condition but was later pronounced dead.

Robert Hiscoe (Image: West Yorkshire Police) Detectives from West Yorkshire Police Homicide and Major Enquiry Team launched a murder investigation following his death.

Philip was arrested later the same day, initially on suspicion of assault, and was subsequently charged with murder.

The 36-year-old denied the murder charge but pleaded guilty to unlawful killing when he appeared at Leeds Crown Court on September 27.

Today (Monday), he was sentenced to five years and six months.  

Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Superintendent Marc Bowes said: “Robert’s death in such utterly senseless circumstances has left his family absolutely devastated.

"We recognise that no sentence can ever ease the pain they are continuing to feel without him in their lives.

“It is a real tragedy that shows very clearly the awful consequences that can come about when people resort to the level of violence that Philip used against him while he was defenceless on the ground.

“Although Philip will now spend time in prison, he will have the rest of his life to reflect on the lasting trauma and loss that his momentary actions have caused to Robert’s family.”