Rotherham Boxer Daniel Gerrard Jailed after Killing Man with Single Punch

A professional boxer has been jailed for killing a father-of-three with just one lethal punch following a pub prawl.

Daniel Gerrard, 30, landed the deadly blow to the neck of 45-year-old Robert Hurdley following a drunken argument between two groups of men in the Don Jon pub in Maltby, Rotherham.

The punch killed Hurdley almost instantly on the night he was out with friends from Dinnington Rugby Club last October.

The fighter also knocked all four of Mr Hurdley's friends to the floor with a combination of punches.

Gerrard was sentenced to six years in prison after admitting manslaughter and affray while serving a suspended sentence for assault.

The boxer sent a tweet saying: "Sat in rotherhams shity place!!! The court room".

However, having already served 182 days in custody, Gerrard, from Highfield Park in Maltby, is due to be released in two and a half years.

There were shouts of "murderer" and "scum" from friends and relatives of the murdered man. Gerrard showed little emotion as he was sentenced and led down to the cells.

A statement issued by the Hurdley family read: "We are disappointed in the strongest terms with the leniency of his sentence and feel a review of the judicial system is required, however, we would like to thank South Yorkshire Police for all their hard work in relation to this case and for the support they have given us.

"The 14 October, will remain the darkest day in the life of our family, Rob's friends, work colleagues and his beloved Dinnington Rugby Club. This was the day that Rob Hurdley was taken away from us because of the aggression and violence of Daniel Gerrard. Our world is and will remain a poorer place without Rob."

The senior investigating officer, Detective Superintendent Lisa Ray, said: "This was an unprovoked and brutal attack upon a family man out drinking with friends. His death leaves his wife, young children and wider family and friends devastated, no sentence is enough to replace their loss."

Gerrard, a middleweight boxer, won two professional matches in 2010 and 2011.