A man who killed a 28-year-old from Kirton with a single punch has shared how the wishes of the man's family spur him forward to help others as he warns about the dangers of fighting.

In 2011 James Hodgkinson, a 28-year-old paramedic, died nine days after a single punch from then 19-year-old Jacob Dunne which knocked him to the floor causing a fractured skull and brain haemorrhage.

Ipswich Star: James Hodgkinson died at the age of 28.James Hodgkinson died at the age of 28. (Image: Archant)

Mr Hodgkinson, who was from Kirton, near Felixstowe, had spent the day at Trent Bridge for an England test match with his father, brother and three friends.

The group, who were dressed as pirates, went into the city centre for drinks. Dunne’s group of friends tried on the pirate hats but they became argumentative when they asked for them back.

Mr Dunne came to the scene after a call from his friend and punched Mr Hodgkinson.

Dunne pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Mr Hodgkinson and was sentenced to 30 months in a young offenders’ institute and released after 13 months. 

Ipswich Star: Jacob Dunne has worked to help others after he was sentenced for the death of James Hodgkinson at the age of 19.Jacob Dunne has worked to help others after he was sentenced for the death of James Hodgkinson at the age of 19. (Image: Home Office)

The Home Office has highlighted Mr Dunne’s warning in an 18-minute interview where they show him explaining how a fight can potentially have fatal consequences and the guilt he lives with.

Mr Dunne spoke about how he fell into a life of gang activity, drug dealing and violence when he was younger.

After his sentence, he recalled meeting his probation officer and learning about restorative justice and it made him think how he had not been taking accountability for his actions. 

Through that, Mr Dunne has since made a friendship with Mr Hodgkinson's mum Joan Scourfield.

Mr Dunne said: "I agreed to take part in that process, and I say I was privileged to hear some of the most awful things I've ever heard, because I needed to hear that. I needed to hear what it was like for them, to turn off the life support machine.

"What it was like for them to get that news, to say goodbye. To tell me about who their son was and what kind of person he was, what kind of values he had, what kind of aspirations he had. 

Ipswich Star: James Hodgkinson was a paramedic from Kirton who died at the age of 28. James Hodgkinson was a paramedic from Kirton who died at the age of 28. (Image: Joan Scourfield)

"That's something that I have to live with, the guilt of knowing I threw a punch for no reason at all and even if there was a reason, or an excuse, that's not good enough.

"Hearing the impact of my offence was the real punishment, I have to live with that guilt on a daily basis." 

Ipswich Star: Mr Hodgkinson died in 2011.Mr Hodgkinson died in 2011. (Image: Newsquest)

Mr Dunne, who is now a father himself said, it is important he can raise awareness and support other people to transition away from harmful behaviours.

He said: "From speaking to the victims, they want me to make the most of my life. They don't want me continuing on the path I was on, being unhappy and hurting other people. The other thing they mentioned is that their son was the type of person who would have wanted something positive to have come from this. I have to honour that. Although I have days where I feel shameful and guilty and isolated and lonely, that's one thing that keeps me going is to honour their wishes.

"If you have your friend's interest at heart you will challenge them." 

Ipswich Star: Joan Scourfield befriended the man who killed her son Joan Scourfield befriended the man who killed her son (Image: Archant)

The video from the Home Office is one of many interviews Mr Dunne has done working to prevent violence and he has even written a book about the weight of the guilt he experienced called Right from Wrong: A true story of guilt and forgiveness.