A prisoner whose single punch to the head of another inmate led to his death has been jailed for four years.

Alastaire Scott, 24, lashed out at Frazer Stent on Chilham wing of Rochester Prison on October 12 last year.

Dad-of-one Mr Stent, 28, struck his head as he went down. At first, his injury was not thought to be serious, but he died in hospital a week later.

Scott, of John Baird Court, Silverdale, Sydenham, south east London, was said to be distraught when told of the tragedy. He admitted manslaughter.

Friends and family of the victim, who lived in Harrow, north west London, expressed their anger at the sentence - only half of which will be served in custody.

Mr Stent’s fiancee and mother of his four-year-old child read a moving statement telling of her devastation and declaring: “No justice will bring him back.”

Prosecutor Philip Bennetts QC told Maidstone Crown Court Scott intervened in a dispute involving Frank White, who he called uncle because of his seniority, and other inmates.

Scott was caught on CCTV cameras punching Mr Stent to the side of the head. He fell to the ground and was unconscious. He came to shortly afterwards.

He was treated at Medway Maritime Hospital but his condition worsened and he was transferred to a London hospital, where he died on October 19.

"I can't believe it. I only punched him once. If he hadn't been smashed out of his head and started on my uncle this would never have happened..." - Alastaire Scott

Mr Bennetts said Scott, who spoke of “chinning” the victim, was moved to a segregation unit. He told a prison officer he hit out in a moment of madness.

The deputy governor went to see Scott to tell him about Mr Stent’s death. Before he could do so, Scott said he was sorry and wanted to apologise to Mr Stent when he came out of hospital.

Scott looked to be in total shock and said: “I can’t believe it. I only punched him once. If he hadn’t been smashed out of his head and started on my uncle this would never have happened.”

Mr Bennetts said Mr Stent had taken a component of the drug Spice but a toxicologist concluded it did not materially contribute to his death.

Scott was serving five years for robbery and drug offences, imposed at Croydon Crown Court in January last year.

He was due for release in March next year. The latest sentence will run consecutively to the current term.

The victim was serving a sentence for burglary imposed at Harrow Crown Court in November 2013.

Judge Jeremy Carey said: “This court doesn’t have the slightest doubt this sentence will satisfy anyone. It certainly won’t satisfy - and why should it - the family of Frazer Stent.

“It will not satisfy those who expect retribution measured in double figures. It will not satisfy those who expect you to be released from prison in the near future.”

But the judge added he had to sentence in accordance with rulings by higher courts in one-punch manslaughter cases.

After sentencing, Detective Inspector Gavin Moss said: "Alastaire Scott's decision to punch Frazer Stent was both reckless and stupid and the consequences could not be more tragic. Our thoughts and sympathies go out to the victim's family.

"During interview Scott told officers he did not intend to kill his fellow inmate but that does not excuse his actions.

"He gave little thought to the consequences and the impact it would have on his victim, which in this tragic example could not have been worse."

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