Mirror UK reports: Scott Humphrey repeatedly
punched Richard Rovetto during a row in a cab on the way back from a stag do.
Nottingham Crown Court heard that Humphrey, 27,
angrily asked Mr Rovet “If you’re such a good friend why did you poke my
missus?”
Sending someone a virtual ‘poke’ on Facebook is
often seen as a way of flirting with them.
Prosecutor Gareth Gimson told the hearing the
argument came to a head as the taxi stopped in Top Valley, Nottingham.
He said Humphrey struck 29-year-old Mr Rovetto,
causing him to bleed from the nose – then delivered the fatal blow, knocking
his friend to floor and causing him to bang his head on the pavement.
Father-of-one Mr Rovetto, of Arnold,
Nottingham, suffered devastating head injuries and died in hospital hours
later. Humphrey fled the scene but later handed himself in to police.
The court heard the friends had enjoyed a stag
do in Mansfield before falling out. Mr Gimson said: “The taxi driver recalls
Scott Humphrey was accusing Richard Rovetto of contacting his girlfriend in the
past and doing so via Facebook.
“The expression used is a ‘poke’. Scott
Humphrey said to Richard Rovetto, ‘If you’re such a good friend then why did
you poke my missus?’
“Richard Rovetto said he didn’t know it was his
girlfriend. The exchange became more heated.” Humphrey, of Bestwood Park,
Nottingham, admitted manslaughter and was jailed for four years and four
months.
Judge Gregory Dickinson QC, sentencing, told
him: “When you and him went out that evening, violence and death were the
furthest things from your mind.
“You didn’t intend to kill him. Part of the
tragedy is that it’s left to chance what happens. There will be a fight like
this somewhere tonight and the person will get up and go home and the police
will never hear about it.”
Robert Egbuna, defending, said: “The defendant
is genuinely remorseful about his actions. He will never forget that day. As
soon as Scott Humphrey heard about what had happened to Richard Rovetto, he was
devastated.
“He has been very candid and admitted this
offence from the very start.”
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