A 16-YEAR-OLD boy has today been sentenced to three years after he admitted the manslaughter of a Nelson man.

Lukas Karpavicius, 16, of Nelson, assaulted David Hutchinson, 63, near to his home on Leeds Road, Nelson between 10.30pm-11pm on Saturday, June 15th.

He admitted the offence when he appeared at Preston Crown Court last month.

Mr Hutchinson had left his house to walk to a nearby shop when he was approached by the teenager who punched him, causing him to fall to the ground and hit his head on the pavement.

Although he initially returned home after the attack, Mr Hutchinson was found unconscious by his house-mate the next morning and taken to hospital.

He sadly passed away at the Royal Preston Hospital on Thursday, July 4th Karpavicius was arrested on Wednesday, June 26th at an address in Nelson on suspicion of Section 18 – wounding with intent and bailed, but was later charged with manslaughter after Mr Hutchinson’s death.

Detective Supt Paul Withers, of the Force Major Investigation Team, said: “This was a tragic case where a completely unprovoked and cowardly assault has sadly cost a man his life.

“By pleading guilty at least Mr Hutchinson’s family have been spared the ordeal of having to go through a trial.”