A man has pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of a 47-year-old who would have almost certainly survived had he accepted medical help.

Jonathan Cottrell, 34, of Athelstan Road, in Cliftonville, Margate, denied a charge of murdering Karsten Holmes last year.

It followed the finding of Mr Holmes' body in Dane Road, Cliftonville, on July 28.

Prosecutor Philip Bennetts QC told Maidstone Crown Court today that after consideration of the medical evidence by senior lawyers the pleas were acceptable.

Mr Holmes is believed to have died after receiving a punch before falling onto an amplifier.

Cottrell will now be sentenced next Monday (October 18) and was remanded into custody.

His barrister, Jonathan Higgs QC, Mr Bennetts and senior CPS lawyers were in discussions for the past few days - before a plea to the lesser offence was offered.

Mr Bennetts revealed that the victim had refused treatment after the attack and experts believed there would have been a 98% chance of survival had he sought medical help.

He added that Mr Holmes' injuries were consistent with his head coming into contact with a "linear" surface - such as the amplifier.

The case will be fully opened in front of Judge Charles Gratwicke next Monday morning.

Detective Constable Leah Roberts of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate said: "This is a tragic case and one which shows how incidents of violence can all too easily have serious or fatal consequences.

"I am pleased that our thorough investigation led to this violent offender being quickly arrested and charged, and that the case we built meant he has now accepted responsibility for the death.

"I hope his guilty plea provides the victim's family and friends with a sense of closure after what must have been a very distressing time following Mr Holmes' passing."

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