Stephen Snook has been sentenced to 27 months in prison after being found guilty of manslaughter

A FORMER Nailsea man has been sentenced to 27 months in prison after he was found guilty of manslaughter.

Stephen Snook, now of Load Lane, Bridgwater, appeared at Bristol Crown Court on Monday for sentencing.

Snook was let out on bail after a jury found him guilty of manslaughter on May 19 following a trial at Bristol Crown Court.

Snook was put on trial following the death of Alec Farley outside The Queens Head pub in Nailsea High Street on June 23.

During his trial, which began on May 9, the 46-year-old denied punching Mr Farley during the incident, saying he pushed him, causing him to accidentally fall backwards down some steps.

However, some witnesses said they saw Snook throw a punch or a ‘jab’ before Mr Farley, aged 50, hit his head on paving slabs, causing him to fracture his skull.

Mr Farley, who was known as Big Al to many people, died in the early hours of the following day.

The jury was asked to decide if Snook used unlawful force, not whether he did or did not punch Mr Farley.

It took the 12 men and women more than a day to reach the unanimous verdict against Snook.