Luke Thompson’s family agreed to the release of a distressing police videoCastleford man Dylan Maxwell has been jailed after he killed another man on a night out
A heartbroken family have released a horrific video showing the final moments before a young dad suffered fatal injuries in an attack.
The footage has been made public with the blessing of Luke Thompson ‘s family, who hope it serves as a stark warning about how quickly violence can turn fatal. Their plea comes after Dylan Maxwell was jailed for killing the 25 year old during a confrontation in Pontefract, West Yorks.
The video shows Luke being punched to the ground twice during the incident in November 2023. He suffered catastrophic head injuries and died in hospital 10 days later, Yorkshire Live reports.
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Luke’s family say they agreed to the footage being released to highlight the devastating consequences of a single act of violence.
His sister, Denise Louise Thompson, commented on the clip: “We have given permission to show people out there that one punch can kill hoping it don’t happen to anyone else’s family.
“Yeah its not nice to watch but it’s putting it out there, you don’t have to have a brawl for 5/10 mins, it could take a matter of seconds to kill someone.”
Her emotional message comes after Maxwell, 28, was jailed for a total of 13 years and 10 months following his conviction for manslaughter and separate drugs offences.
Luke’s death left a family shattered. The 25 year old was a father of two and was expecting a third child at the time of the attack. His son was born on Christmas Day, just weeks after he died.
Luke Thompson(Image: West Yorkshire Police/Yorkshire Live)
In a victim impact statement previously read to the court, Luke’s mum Michelle described the lasting impact of losing her youngest child.
She said: “We live with the pain of losing him every day. It is a scar in our lives that will never leave. The impact of losing him is something that has affected the whole family differently.”
She added: “Some are suffering from mental health. This is something that has been going on since losing Luke and I think it will continue long into the future.”
Following the sentencing, Detective Chief Inspector James Entwistle of West Yorkshire Police said: “My thoughts remain with Luke Thompson’s friends and loved ones. I hope today’s sentence provides some small comfort to them as they move forward with their lives following their devastating loss.
Dylan Maxwell(Image: West Yorkshire Police/Yorkshire Live)
“This is a tragic case that shows just how quickly a night out can turn into tragedy. Too often we see situations escalate through alcohol, frustration or split second decisions, with devastating consequences for everyone involved.
“At a busy time of year for nightlife, I would urge people to take a moment, walk away from confrontation and think about the lasting impact of their actions. No argument is worth a life.”
The family hope the release of the distressing footage will ensure Luke’s death is not forgotten and help prevent another family suffering the same heartbreak.