Family pays tribute to football coach killed with one punch: āIāve lost my compass, my guideā
The family of a football coach killed after suffering a single but fatal punch outside a pub have mourned losing their āheart and soulā after his attacker was jailed.
Scott Hendy, 46, fell and suffered a critical head injury after being struck by George Baylis in pub car park in Redwick Road, Pilning, at about 12.10am on 2 March.
He was taken to hospital where he tragically died the following day.
Baylis was arrested a short distance away approximately 30 minutes after the incident. He broke down in front of officers and apologised claiming he did not want to hurt anyone.
Mr Hendyās son Lewis said his father was the āheart and soul of the familyā and was āidolisedā by his children.
He said: āOne of the hardest things to accept is that I can no longer reach out to Dad. There will be no more phone calls to ask for his advice, no more texts to share a quick joke, no more chats about work or life.
āI still pick up the phone to call or message him, eager to share something funny thatās just happened. Then reality kicks in and I get that sinking feeling again because heās no longer there.
āIt feels like Iāve lost my compass, my guide, and the person I could always turn to when I needed help.ā
Lewis added: āThere are events that have not yet happened that I know will be incredibly bittersweet, such as the birth of my first child and my wedding, this also applies to Harvey and Holly.
āDad will never get the opportunity to become a grandparent, to walk Holly down the aisle and to show us all up with his dance moves at our weddings.ā
Baylis, of Redwick Road, pleaded guilty to manslaughter last month and was sentenced to four and a half years at Bristol Crown Court. He will serve at least half.
Around 700 people attended the popular football coachās funeral.
His mother, Jennifer Hendy, said ānot a day that goes by where we donāt think about Scottā in her victim personal statement.
She said: āHe was the kindest, loveliest character and all-round amazing son. His personality was infectious and was always one for being the joker.
āHis sense of humour was legendary, and his loss will be felt from all over Bristol such was the reach of his infectious personality.ā
She added: āThis is an horrendous situation we find ourselves in and our lives will never be the same.
āWe know this would never have happened if Scott wasnāt punched.
āHowever, we understand this has probably ruined the offenderās life as well; if anything we feel sorry for him and his family. We donāt have any hatred towards him, we accept he probably didnāt mean to kill our son.
āHowever, we are now left feeling our entire life has been torn apart and donāt think we will ever come to terms with living our lives without him.ā
Detective Chief Inspector Mark Almond, of the Major Crime Investigation Team, said: āScott Hendy was clearly a very popular man and our sympathies are with his loved ones at the conclusion of these legal proceedings.
āGeorge Baylis has shown remorse for what occurred throughout the course of enquiries and also pleaded guilty early on to manslaughter.
āWhile there is no evidence of any intent on his part to cause the fatal injuries he did, this case highlights the tragic reality that one punch can kill. In that split second he lashed out he unintentionally took Scottās life and now has received a prison sentence.ā
