A man who tried to break up a fight in a pub garden was killed after being punched by one of the people involved.
Harley Fox, 34, fell to the ground and lost consciousness after he was punched by Dilon Price.
The much-loved son, brother and father – described by family members as “our fourth emergency service” as he would always help them – was taken to Queen’s Medical Centre where he tragically died two days later.
Nottingham Crown Court heard Price went on the run after the assault and did not hand himself in until three days later.
After months of denying responsibility and falsely claiming he’d acted in self-defence, he finally pleaded guilty to manslaughter on 28 November.
At a sentencing hearing today (24 April), he was jailed for five years and 11 months.
The incident took place at the Market Inn pub, on Main Street, Huthwaite, on Sunday 8 June 2025.
Two men, including a husband celebrating his wife’s birthday and their wedding anniversary, were playing pool when Price entered the pub shortly before 9pm.
After a few minutes, Price initiated an argument. CCTV captured Price hitting the male opponent before the pair were separated.
The opponent went into the beer garden and was followed by Price, who was described by witnesses as “looking for a fight”.
Price then continued his assault on the man, this time pushing him back as well as throwing punches and headbutting him.
The court heard others then intervened, including Harley – who was acting as a peacemaker and at no stage did anything wrong.
After standing in front of Price and telling him, “that’s enough”, Price pushed Harley with two hands causing him to stumble. He then punched Harley in the head, causing him fall backwards into a picnic table and bench. He then fell to the ground, with the back of his head hitting the concrete.
Harley, a qualified electrician, was rushed to Queen’s Medical Centre and placed on a life support machine. However he never regained consciousness and he tragically died on 10 June.
Price, 30, of Back Lane, Sutton-in-Ashfield, was arrested the following day after handing himself in at Mansfield Police Station.
When questioned, he remained silent but provided a prepared statement in which he claimed to have acted in self-defence.
Analysis of CCTV footage and witness testimony proved his version of events to be untrue.
He went on to plead guilty to manslaughter and assault occasioning actual bodily harm in relation to a second person he assaulted during the incident.
Following the sentencing, Detective Inspector Matt Scott, who led the investigation, said:
“Our thoughts remain with the family and loved ones of Harley, who has lost his life in such tragic circumstances.
“A life has been cut short following what should have been an enjoyable evening at the pub. The behaviour displayed by Dilon Price was totally unacceptable and his actions have led to untold misery for Harvey’s family and friends.
“He turned their lives upside down and although no length of sentence will ever fully repair the huge loss they have suffered, I hope today’s sentence goes some way towards bringing closure to what has been, and continues to be, an extremely difficult time for them.
“It took many months of court hearings for Dilon to finally plead guilty. Had he been remorseful, he would have admitted his actions a lot sooner.
“This was a complex investigation with a lot of moving parts but ultimately the family will hopefully have some closure.
“Thankfully, incidents of this nature are rare, but I’d like to reassure the public that we’ll always prioritise bringing offenders to justice and do everything we can to protect our communities from harm.”
