Man jailed over fatal Christmas Eve punch attack

A man who fatally injured a 72-year-old man when he assaulted him on the doorstep of his home has been jailed for his manslaughter.

Stephen Jedynak died in Pinderfields Hospital on 27 December after being found unresponsive at his home in Thorntree Court, in the Crofton area of Wakefield, on Christmas Eve.

His attacker, Hamza Shafique, 28 and formerly of Maidstone Street, Bradford, was jailed for six years and three months at Leeds Crown Court on Monday after pleading guilty to manslaughter.

In a tribute issued via West Yorkshire Police, the victim's relatives said he was a father, brother and uncle "who is missed by our family".

His death had originally been referred to police by the coroner's office and a murder investigation was launched on 4 January.

CCTV footage, taken at a distance, showed Jedynak being punched by Shafique to the side of the head, causing him to hit his head on the front door before he slumped to the ground.

Shafique then moved him inside the home and closed the door before driving off.

He was arrested on 8 January along with two other men, aged 32 and 23, on suspicion of murder and on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs.

A fourth man, 36, was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.

The three were later released on bail and inquiries into the drugs matters remained ongoing, West Yorkshire Police said.

Senior investigating officer, Det Ch Insp Stacey Atkinson, said: "Stephen Jedynak was assaulted on the doorstep of his home and lay fatally injured for several hours inside the address before later being found unresponsive.

"Stephen was a vulnerable 72-year-old man who lived alone and who did not deserve to lose his life in such a harsh and unnecessary way as a result of Shafique's violent actions."

Jedynak's family thanked police, Pinderfields Hospital's bereavement team and the Crown Prosecution Service for their work.

"Stephen was 72 years old when he passed away as a result of someone's reckless actions," their statement said.

"He was a dad, brother, and uncle and he is missed by our family, especially at gatherings where he used to reminisce about our childhood to the younger generation."

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