'One punch' killer who killed former Fenland man sees jail time increased

The killer of a former Fenland man has seen his sentence increased following an appeal court decision.

Jake McFarlane, 23, who killed "larger than life" Ian Clitheroe in a 'one punch' attack on a night out in Huntingdon in January this year will now serve 44 months for manslaughter.

He was sentenced to two years over Mr Clitheroe's death in April,which prompted calls by Mr Clitheroe's family including sister Lisa Jarmany, who runs Tydd St mary Stores, to call for harsher sentencing for those convicted of so called 'one punch' killings.

McFarlane, of Bernard Close, Huntingdon had admitted manslaughter and possession with intent to supply cocaine when he appeared at crown court and was sentenced on April 29 to three years and nine months for both crimes.

Today (Friday) at the Court of Appeal in London, McFarlane, who was 22 at the time of the killing, had his sentence increased from two years in prison to 44 months for manslaughter.

This is to run consecutively to the 21 months for possession with intent to supply cocaine, meaning a new total sentence of five years and five months.

McFarlane, was drinking with friends in the Samuel Pepys in High Street, Huntingdon, in the early hours of January30 when at about 1.30am he and one of his friends went to confront Mr Clitheroe, 50, who they believed was arguing with a woman outside the venue.

Whilst one of his friends went to talk to the pair, McFarlane punched Mr Clitheroe, who lived in Leverington for over 20 years before moving to Huntingdon, causing him to fall to the ground. He then left the area before emergency services arrived.

Police were called and officers began CPR on Mr Clitheroe before paramedics arrived and he was taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge for treatment.

Later that day, at about 1pm, McFarlane was arrested at Huntingdon train station having purchased a single ticket to Norwich. When officers searched his luggage, they found 20 small packets of cocaine worth £710 and a set of digital scales with white powder residue on them.

Mr Clitheroe, of Loughrigg Close, Huntingdon, continued to receive hospital treatment but died on 3 February.

At the time of the original sentencing Mr Clitheroe's sister said: "McFarlane punched my brother so hard he broke his nose and his eye sockets and sent Ian toppling backwards hitting his head and fracturing his skull in two places, he died at the scene but was revived by paramedics before being rushed to Addenbrooke's Hospital, where he was on a life support machine, which was turned off three days later.

"I accept he did not mean to kill my brother, but we believe the punch was malicious and was such a vicious blow to have fractured his nose and eye sockets that he should have been given longer in prison.

"Obviously there is no sentence harsh enough to make up for what he did as far as we're concerned, but to think that Boris Becker, the tennis player, was jailed for two-and-a-half years for tax fraud on the same day does make you angry."

Detective Inspector Dale Mepstead said: “This case shows the tragic consequences just one punch can have.

“It is clear McFarlane didn’t intend to kill Mr Clitheroe, but his actions did just that.

“Every weekend in towns and cities across the country police deal with alcohol fuelled violence. I hope this case will make people think about their actions. Getting involved in violence can spiral out of control and have devastating consequences for all parties.”