9:30am Monday 18th June 2001
June 18, 2001 8:54: A VICIOUS thug was jailed for just 21 months after admitting killing computer programmer Jason Tuck in an unprovoked attack near his Bounds Green home.
Sean Blunt punched Mr Tuck in the face during a row at a bus stop in the early hours of the morning.
The blow sent Mr Tuck, 31, of Bounds Green Road, sprawling to the floor, smashing the back of his head on the pavement.
The sentence means Blunt could be freed by Christmas.
As a horrified friend looked on, Mr Tuck was rushed to hospital with a fractured skull but later died.
The Old Bailey heard last week how the incident started after Blunt, of United Lodge Hotel, Green Lanes, Finsbury Park, hurled abuse at Mr Tuck and his friend.
Prosecutor Nicholas Dean said the two men had been out drinking in London and were going back to Mr Tuck's home in the early hours of February 24.
As they passed a bus stop outside Bounds Green Tube station, Blunt accused them of being "either poofs or police officers,"
Mr Dean told the court: The defendant made a provocative remark, and Mr Tuck took exception. There was a conversation which became heated.
The defendant threw a single punch which struck Mr Tuck in the face and he fell over.
It is believed unmarried Mr Tuck, who worked for a firm in Borehamwood, hit his head on the pavement as he fell.
Blunt pleaded guilty to manslaughter. He denied murder and the charge was left on file.
Defence barrister Simon Smith said: The defendant is reconciled to receiving a custodial sentence.
The hearing was adjourned last week to allow Mr Tuck's parents to be in court for sentencing on Friday.
Visit our website on www.thisisenfield.co.uk for the latest news on sentencing or see next week's Independent.
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