A homeless man has been sentenced to six years and nine months in prison after killing a father-of-three with a single punch in Nottingham. Kevin Wild, 53, attacked 43-year-old Jermaine Mazlum on Alfred Street North, in the St Ann’s area, on 17 June.

Mazlum, who had previously suffered a severe head injury in 2020, was left with catastrophic injuries and died in hospital on 5 July. Wild, who was under the influence of alcohol at the time, pleaded guilty to manslaughter at Nottingham Crown Court.

The court heard that both men were residents at Framework’s Mechanics House, a complex that provides accommodation for homeless people. On the night of the attack, Wild approached Mr. Mazlum outside the complex, punching him in the head and causing him to fall and hit his head on the road. Mazlum’s vulnerability due to his previous head injury was known to Wild, yet the assault still took place, for reasons his defence counsel said “he simply cannot explain.”

Paramedics treated Mazlum at the scene before transporting him to Queen’s Medical Centre, but his injuries were described as “un-survivable,” and he was pronounced dead weeks later.

During sentencing, Judge Nirmal Shant KC described the attack as “completely unprovoked,” adding: “It was a sucker punch—he wouldn’t have seen it coming.” CCTV footage shown in court captured the moment of the attack, in which Wild crossed the street before striking Mr. Mazlum.

Philip Bown, Wild’s defense counsel, said: “He simply can’t explain why he lashed out. There was no rivalry between them. He is deeply and sincerely remorseful.” Wild had previously told police he was “terribly sorry” for the incident, claiming he never intended to cause serious harm.

Sentencing Wild, Judge Shant KC said: “On 17 June 2024, you altered the lives of those who knew Mr. Mazlum forever. They had already been through the trauma of his previous head injury. What you did that day added to that.”

Jermaine’s family provided a moving statement, remembering him as “an amazing brother, a loving son, and an amazing father to his three children.” They described the heartbreak of losing him and the deep impact it has had on their lives: “He was someone who would always pick you up with his laughter and light up any room.”

Nottinghamshire Police’s Detective Inspector Clare Gibson spoke after the sentencing, emphasizing the devastating consequences of a single act of violence: “Kevin Wild’s actions that evening took away Jermaine’s future in an instant as well as destroying so many other lives forever.”

The case serves as a tragic reminder of the irreversible damage that a single act of aggression can cause, leaving lasting consequences for all involved.