Man who died 'refused treatment'

A man who died two days after being attacked in a pub probably would have lived if he had sought medical treatment, a court heard.

Keith Waterworth was found dead in the bedroom of his flat in Fleetwood, Lancashire, in April 2008.

He had suffered multiple nose fractures after being punched by James Howard in a pub in Fleetwood, Lancashire.

Howard, who had just been released from prison, admitted manslaughter and was jailed for three years.

Mr Waterworth suffered a deep cut to the bridge of the nose in the attack but refused attempts by paramedics to get him to hospital.

'Unusual' case

He was found dead at his flat in Fleetwood on 22 April after suffering massive blood loss, Preston Crown Court heard.

Howard, of North Albert Street, Fleetwood, told police he had punched Mr Waterworth, a father-of-three, after being provoked.

Sentencing him on Friday, the judge said it was a "tragic case and unusual case".

A consultant pathologist had stated that Mr Waterworth would most likely have survived if he had gone to hospital, the court heard.

Story from BBC NEWS:

Published: 2009/03/27 18:44:37 GMT