A former soldier and police officer, Paul Ainscough, tragically lost his life following a violent confrontation over chicken wings. The incident occurred on June 22, 2024, in the beer garden of the Stag pub located in Leyland, England. Liam Slack, aged 34, has been sentenced to four years and two months in prison after pleading guilty to the manslaughter of his friend.
During a court hearing at Preston Crown Court, it was revealed that the 57-year-old Ainscough suffered fatal internal injuries after being pushed by Slack during an argument that escalated over food. Witnesses reported that both men had been drinking together earlier that evening and were intoxicated by the time the altercation took place.
The pair had spent the day enjoying drinks at various pubs. Around 19:30, Slack attempted to take Ainscough’s chicken wings after finishing his own. This led to a heated argument, during which Slack threw Ainscough’s rucksack and then pushed him in the chest. One witness described how Ainscough was pushed “clean over,” resulting in him falling backward and colliding with a stone step.
As Ainscough attempted to recover, he expressed his frustration, telling bystanders that Slack “couldn’t hold his beer” and insisting he would no longer lend him money. Judge Robert Altham, who presided over the case, noted that Ainscough appeared embarrassed but was trying to make light of the situation.
After leaving the pub, Slack admitted to pushing Ainscough during a taxi ride with two women, stating he “shouldn’t have done it.” Unbeknownst to him, the push had caused significant injury to Ainscough. Later that evening, Ainscough informed his partner about the dispute before taking his dogs for a walk at around 21:20.
The following morning, Ainscough experienced severe abdominal pain and requested an ambulance from his partner. Initially, she believed he was suffering from a hangover, as he seemed fine the night before. Tragically, when she returned home shortly before 16:00, Ainscough was unresponsive. Emergency services were called, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
An autopsy revealed that Ainscough had suffered three broken ribs and died from internal bleeding. Slack learned of his friend’s death and expressed immediate concern about his role in the incident. During police questioning, he admitted to the altercation, leading to his guilty plea for manslaughter.
In delivering the sentence, Judge Altham reflected on Ainscough’s character, describing him as a “kind, generous and thoughtful man” who had a commendable history of service, including 24 years in the Army before transitioning to the police force. The judge remarked on the senseless nature of Ainscough’s death, stating, “What a proud and precious life to have been taken by such a thoughtless act of violence.”
Judge Altham added that Slack’s drinking habits were concerning and noted that his intoxication was an aggravating factor in the case. Despite this, he acknowledged that Slack had shown “genuine and immediate remorse” and that the incident was not premeditated.
This tragic event highlights the dangers of alcohol-fueled confrontations and serves as a poignant reminder of the consequences that can arise from seemingly trivial disputes.
