Cheesy chips row led to Blackpool chef killing
A man has been jailed for three-and-a-half years for killing a chef in a row over cheesy chips at a Blackpool takeaway.
Ricky Guest-Binns, 44, from the town, was attacked at the Chicken Express takeaway on Caunce Street on 5 May.
Allan Glenny, 24, of Clinton Avenue, Blackpool, had pleaded guilty to manslaughter at Preston Crown Court.
Mr Guest-Binns had intervened after Glenny argued with staff for not melting his cheese properly.
Witnesses said Mr Guest-Binns had been ushering him out of the takeaway when roofer Glenny punched him and hit another man, the court heard.
Joseph Allman, prosecuting, said Mr Guest-Binns fell backwards and, despite several people attempting to resuscitate him, there were no signs of life when paramedics arrived.
Tests gave the cause of death as a haemorrhage caused by a blow to the head.
Mr Allman said: "It is appalling this incident should have happened over whether cheese had been melted on the defendant's chips."
One customer recalled the victim telling Glenny he should not talk in the manner he did to the shop worker.
Glenny admitted having drunk "quite a lot of lager" and spirits and having taken cocaine.
The court heard he told police after handing himself in later that day: "I have ruined my life and some family over one punch.
"A few words have been exchanged, it's just Blackpool, Friday night."
Glenny was sentenced to three years and four months for manslaughter and two months for a separate assault which happened on Milbourne Street shortly after the initial attack inside the takeaway.
Det Ch Insp Andrea Barrow said it was "a tragic and unnecessary loss of life".