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Video shows Margate man Jonathon Cottrell's arrest outside Aldi for killing friend Karsten Holmes with single punch

Video captures the moment a man who killed a friend with a single punch was arrested outside Aldi.

Jonathon Cottrell, 35, floored Karsten Holmes at a Margate flat after the two fell out on the anniversary of his brother's death.

Cottrell is arrested on suspicion of murder (Video: Kent Police)

After being hit with the punch, 47-year-old Mr Holmes fell, striking his head against a door and then toppling into an amplifier.

A paramedic was called to the home in Dane Road, Cliftonville, but Mr Holmes - unaware he had suffered massive internal bleeding - refused to go to hospital for further treatment.

Four days later, on July 28 last year, his lifeless body was discovered by a friend of the flat owner.

Police have today released body-worn footage showing the moment Cottrell was arrested outside Aldi in Zion Place, Margate, on August 1 last year.

Jonathon Cottrell has been jailed for five years
Jonathon Cottrell has been jailed for five years

The video shows Cottrell, of Atheston Road, Margate, looking confused and shrugging as police handcuff him and arrest him on suspicion of murder.

The prosecution later accepted his not guilty plea.

He admitted manslaughter at Maidstone Crown Court this month, and was jailed for five years on Friday.

The court heard how before Mr Holmes' body was discovered, Cottrell had telephoned the victim and apologised.

His barrister, Jonathan Higgs QC, told Maidstone Crown Court that it had been a "classic one-punch manslaughter" and the first time in his life that Cottrell had been violent.

Footage shows the moment Jonothon Cottrell was arrested outside Aldi in Margate. Picture: Kent Police
Footage shows the moment Jonothon Cottrell was arrested outside Aldi in Margate. Picture: Kent Police

"This is a tragic case when one punch has resulted in death, and an unusual case where the defendant has rung the victim and apologised," he said.

Prosecutor Philip Bennetts QC told how an expert in serious trauma cases said Mr Holmes would have had a 98.67% chance of surviving his injuries had he attended hospital for treatment.

Recalling the events of July 24, he said Mr Holmes and Cottrell had gone to the home of Simon Wilcocks in Margate.

"On that day Mr Wilcocks saw Mr Homes as he was walking through Dane Park," the prosecutor said.

"They chatted. They both needed to buy drugs which they did.

"Mr Wilcocks invited Mr Holmes to Dane Road and later Cottrell arrived.

"I saw John Boy punch Karsten straight in the face and Karsten immediately dropped to the floor..."

"Mr Wilcocks was aware that it was the 11th anniversary of Cottrell's brother's death. In his view Karsten misjudged John's mood.

The prosecutor described how Mr Holmes, who was homeless, got John in a headlock, "like playfighting", before the two were separated by two women who were also there.

As Cottrell stood up he punched his victim in the left eye. Mr Holmes fell over, striking a guitar amplifier with his head.

Another eyewitness told how Mr Holmes "took hold of Cottrell in a headlock for two seconds".

The prosecutor added: "She said John Boy took it the wrong way, saying 'you think you're having a laugh getting me in a headlock'."

The witness then said: "I saw John Boy punch Karsten straight in the face and Karsten immediately dropped to the floor."

Cottrell left the flat but 15 minutes after rang and apologised to Mr Holmes, whose eye was later examined by a paramedic because it was swollen and had turned purple.

Mr Bennetts added: "He refused to go to hospital. After his death, the pathologist said he had multiple rib injuries, which had lacerated his spleen, causing extensive internal bleeding."

Karsten Holmes was punched at a flat in Dane Road, Cliftonville Pic: Google
Karsten Holmes was punched at a flat in Dane Road, Cliftonville Pic: Google

Cottrell was sentenced to five years in prison, by Judge Charles Gratwicke.

DC 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 hope the sentence handed down helps Mr Holmes's family and friends as they come to terms with his death, and I hope this offender uses his time in prison to reflect upon his actions on the day of this assault."

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