Three people have been jailed for the manslaughter of Zac Wells in New Brighton.
The former naval officer, 30, died in hospital from head injuries suffered from the attack after an argument at Evo’s Loft nightclub on Boxing Day last year.
Christopher Cousins, 29, fom Poulton admitted manslaughter at trial on May 26 and was sentenced to six-and-a-half years behind bars.
Naomi Ogden, 27, from Tranmere was also sentenced to six-and-a-half years while a 17-year-old male from Eastham has been handed three years in prison.
Detectives launched an investigation after emergency services were called to Marine Parade to reports that Zac had been found with head injuries at around 3.25am.
He was taken to hospital where he remained in critical care until his death.
Mr Wells had been chased for around 70 metres before being punched by Cousins, knocking him to the floor.
Ogden had punched Zac earlier that night and was seen encouraging a fight between Cousins and Mr Wells.
The 17-year-old, who was 16 at the time, filmed the assault on a mobile phone.
The trio then left the scene in Cousins’ car without calling an ambulance.
Detective Sergeant Simon Douch, who led the investigation, said: “The actions of Cousins, Ogden and the 17-year-old that night have affected so many lives, and continue to do so.
“Although nothing the court could do today will ease the pain for Zac’s family and friends, the sentence will hopefully bring them some sense of justice and allow them to grieve in peace.
“I would like to pay tribute to the way that Zac’s family have supported each other and the police investigation during what has been a lengthy and upsetting court process.
“Christopher Cousins and Naomi Ogden were clearly very determined to use violence on what should have been an evening celebrating the start of a new year.
“Instead, the night ended with Zac in intensive care and his family – including two young children – and friends facing a future without him.
“This incident should serve as a stark reminder of the awful consequences of using violence on the streets, and hopefully make anyone else think twice before considering acting so recklessly.”
In a statement read to court, Zac’s former partner and the mother of his two children, said: “They (his children) are struggling to understand why their dad is not there.
“His daughter asks me every day where he is and I have no answer. His son also asks if they can go and see Zac, again how can I explain they can’t and where he is to them?
“I have to hear my daughter who is five say ‘I wish my dad didn’t die’. How does anyone deal with that?
“Every time I look at the children they remind me of Zac and is a constant reminder he isn’t there and although I have help, I still feel alone.
“Obviously with how sudden Zac was taken from us there was no way I could prepare myself.
“What happened to Zac will stay with me forever. It will never go away. My children now have to grow up without their dad in their life.
“That is something every child should have as an absolute right and to think that as a result of someone causing Zac’s death that has been taken away makes me so sad for them.”
Zac’s brother said: “I felt a pain like no other when my brother passed away. The pain will never go away.
“I pray to the Lord for help and guidance every day. I wouldn’t wish this pain on any living creature.
“Every member of my family’s lives have been shattered by this crime. All we want is peace. Our lives have been destroyed and we are trying to rebuild them a day at a time.
“Zac was a loving, honest, hard-working family man. He would help anyone and would light up the room with his presence.
“My mother is deeply affected by the loss of Zac and it has changed her life as one of the biggest parts of it, Zac, has been taken from her.”