A ONE punch killer has been jailed for seven years for his fatal attack on a dad-of-two in a booze and drug fuelled rage.

Dennie Griffiths, 28, of Hermitage Drive, Laindon, was sentenced yesterday for the killing of Matthew Bion outside Reids in Billericay.

The dad, from Wickford, died of a fatal brain injury on August 27, 2019, following the incident outside Reids bar, in Billericay on August 18.

Griffiths’ girlfriend Jade Chambers, also of Hermitage Drive, Laindon, was handed a one year suspended sentence for assisting Griffiths.

Chambers told Griffiths by telling him to hide over text messages in the aftermath of the incident.

She sat crying in the dock, wiping her nose and eyes as the sentence was announced, before the pair hugged as Griffiths was sent to the cells by the judge.

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Mr Bion’s mum cried throughout the hearing and gave a heartwrenching account of the family’s suffering as she spoke in the witness box.

Prosecuting Cyrus Shroff said: “The aggravating features for Mr Griffiths are that he was under the influence of alcohol and cocaine, he wrongly blamed the deceased man, he ran away after it and lying about the disappearance of his phone.

“We know Mr Bion was knocked out before he hit the ground. That alone was ABH but the accelerated force of the blow caused the catastrophic injuries, skill fracture and it ultimately killed him.

“The violence was unquestionably started by Mr Griffiths.”

Mitigating for Griffiths, Trevor Burke told the court his client had suffered consequences for the events but agreed it did not compare to the consequences his victim’s family face.

He said: “The dispute is the starke range for a sentence in a case such as this.

“He’s 28 and of good character.

It was a single blow with possibly moderate force used.

Echo: Tragedy - Matthew BionTragedy - Matthew Bion

“He did not intend to cause death and the risk of this was not obvious to him.”

Mitigating for Chambers Jon Swaine said she was “simply reacting” to the incident involving someone she was close to.

He said: “She could not have known the consequences of what had happened and she helped him to a limited extent.”

Sentencing the pair, Judge Ian Graham said: “We all heard the extremely personal and at times very moving testimonies from his family.

“His life came to an end and nothing I or this court can do will alter that, all I can do is try and give justice.

“Dennie Griffiths it’s clear you went to punch Mr Bion in one forceful upwards motion.

“You made no attempt to assist him and were more concerned for your own safety.

“You ran off leaving a man who you had seriously injured to save your own skin.

“Crucial evidence was found on the phone of Jade Chambers with messages of her telling him to go and hide.”

Chambers was told she also must complete 25 days of rehabilitation activity requirement