Cemal John Yilmaz, who was killed after a fatal punch to the face during a night out ‘was loved by his family and friends and the community in Manchester’
Cemal John Yilmaz was killed after a fatal punch to the face during a night out(Image: Change.Org)
The family of a Manchester-born chef who was tragically killed in a one-punch attack after making a comment have made an urgent call for change, calling his killer’s prison sentence an ‘insult’.
Cemal John Yilmaz, 29, who originally grew up in south Manchester, was sent instantly to the ground after suffering a ‘single, fast, jab-style punch’ on a night out in Exmouth on December 12 last year. Cemal was seriously injured and knocked unconscious, and later died of his injuries on December 16.
A court heard how he had been out drinking when he encountered Royal Marine Joseph Jones on Church Street. Commando Jones had been out celebrating with his friends their recent passing out parade, a military ceremony which marks the completion of training for recruits or cadets.
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Devon and Cornwall Police said that Jones and ‘gentle giant’ Yilmaz ‘exchanged words’, which Jones later described in his police interview as making him feel uncomfortable and that Mr Yilmaz ‘was too close to him.’
A court heard how the victim was heard to say ‘you’re a Brummie’ to 22-year-old Jones, to which he then replied: “No, I’m from Wolverhampton.” It was after the exchange that Jones then suddenly struck Mr Yilmaz to the face before leaving the scene and returning to his Marine training camp in Lympstone.
At the time, other members of the public desperately tried to help Mr Yilmaz who lay injured on the ground. He was rushed to Derriford Hospital, in Plymouth, in a serious condition but despite treatment succumbed to his injuries four days later.
Cemal, 29, was later described by his family as ‘amazing’ and ‘selfless’ man who ‘brightened up the darkest of places’, adding: “Cem as we called him was the loveliest, warmest and kindest person you would ever meet, he would help anybody in need and always had time for a laugh and a chat.”
They added: “He loved his life, he loved his family, he was the highest of the high. He always turned a negative into a positive. He was loved by his family and friends and the community in Manchester where he was born and in Exmouth where he made his home.
On December 13, Joseph Jones presented himself in at Exeter Police Station, where he was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder. In a police interview that afternoon, he told detectives: “I didn’t, well I didn’t ever, I didn’t ever think consequences could be this, could be this dire. With my own punches, I didn’t, I didn’t think I could, I didn’t think I could do something like this, I didn’t.”
Following the death of Mr Yilmaz, Jones was further arrested on December 29 on suspicion of murder. Jones was charged with manslaughter and appeared at Exeter Magistrates’ Court on New Year’s Eve and was released on conditional bail.
Jones, 22, of Chillington Lane, Codsall, later pleaded guilty to manslaughter when he appeared at Exeter Crown Court on February 4. On March 13 this year, Jones was sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison, where he must serve two years four months before being released on licence.
Following the sentencing, Mr Yilmaz’s family have launched an online petition, calling the sentencing an ‘insult’. A spokesperson for the family previously said: “This senseless act of violence has ripped our family apart, it has taken our son from us, our brother from us, there are not enough words in the world to describe the depths of our pain and loss. We do not want something like this to happen to anyone else’s family.”
The petition, which has amassed more than 4,000 signatures, said the sentence handed to Jones was ‘disproportionate’ and was ‘an insult to Cemal’s right to life and our pain’. They say they have objected to the ‘unduly lenient’ sentence and taken the case to appeal.
“We must reach 10,000 signatures to show how deeply this decision has wounded public conscience,” it read. “Please be Cemal’s voice with your signature.”
And in a statement on social media, his cousin Beth wrote: “How many times do we have to see stories like this before people understand that one punch can end a life? This isn’t something that should be brushed off or minimised. It’s a life taken, a future gone, and a family completely shattered.
“We are trying to raise awareness about these kinds of incidents and push for change, so no other family has to go through this.”
Last month, Senior Investigating Officer Detective Inspector Christopher Lithgow, of the Major Crime Investigation Team with Devon and Cornwall Police added: “This was a chance encounter between two people that night, that has tragically affected the lives of all involved.
“Mr Jones will now have to deal with the consequences of his actions. I wish to express my deep sympathy to the family of Mr Yilmaz and I commend their bravery throughout this process.
“I have had the pleasure of meeting the family of Mr Yilmaz and it was immediately clear just how loved and adored he was by so many.”
