Wolverhampton marine jailed after killing someone with a single punch in Devon
He'll spend three-and-a-half-years in prison
Last updated 13th Mar 2026
A marine from Wolverhampton was today jailed for three-and-a-half years after killing someone with a single punch – in Devon – after they’d suggested his accent sounded like he was from ‘basically Birmingham’.
Cemal Yilmaz died three days after the single punch on Church Street in Exmouth on December 13, 2025, with Commando Joseph Jones later pleading guilty to manslaughter.
Jones, 22, who was based at the Commando Training Centre in Lympstone at the time, was today sentenced at Exeter Crown Court.
Mr Yilmaz was described in court as a 'familiar face' in pubs and shops in the town and a 'larger than life character'. Mr Yilmaz's father's impact statement said he was 'my world' and I had loads of plans and dreams and that has been taken away from me."
The statement added 'there's not a minute that goes by without thinking about my son' and 'the pain is unbelievably hard'.
Cemal's brother told the court he was 'an absolute engine of pure positive energy and a light to everyone passing by'. He said he was a 'big guy but never used his strength to hurt anyone' as he praised his big brother for a lifetime of help and support.
Mr Yilmaz's mum said: “He loved his family and we always had fantastic times together. Our whole family has been ripped apart.”
She reflected he was a ‘gentle giant’ and was ‘kind and listened’ and that ‘nothing was every too much for him’ – with the damage to the family described as ‘heartbreaking and heart-wrenching’.
Addressing the defendant, she said: “You have no right to take Cemal from us.”
"Hurts in a way that I cannot explain"
A victim impact statement, today read to the court by Cemal Yilmaz's cousin, saying he called her 'sis' and would always say things like 'love you and miss you' and was always comforting. She added: "Knowing that he cannot be there anymore hurts in a way that I cannot explain."
She added that at his funeral she was told how her cousin has spent hours sitting with someone's autistic son, reflecting: "He was someone who gave his time, kindness and attention to anyone who needed it."
The court heard two groups, who did not know each other, came together near to The Loft in Exmouth - which on that Friday night was unusually busy outside with 20 people - 'mostly marines' who were 'milling around' and the energy was 'upbeat and not sinister'.
The court was told there 'was nothing that would explain the unprovoked attack' and it's apparent from members of both groups that they had been drinking and it was a 'good evening'. That night Mr Yilmaz was said to be 'his normal, cheeky, happy self' and a friend didn't recall why he was asked to leave the First & Last pub - but remembered they couldn't understand the reason for it.
Another friend said Mr Yilmaz was 'quite drunk, but a happy drunk and not loud and aggressive'. The court was told eye-witness accounts vary - and CCTV footage was 'very blurry and of little assistance' - but what happened was 'quick'.
One eye-witness reported that they were 15ft away and heard loud noises and conversation - with Mr Yilmaz overheard saying 'Birmingham basically' after discovering the marine was from 'Wolverhampton' and it wasn't a heated argument and something that 'just happened out of the blue'.
"Everything changed in a 'split second'"
The court was told everything changed in a 'split second' and Mr Yilmaz's head hit the ground hard. Another eye-witness said the conversation 'was not heated' but defendant Jones was from Wolverhampton and does not like it being 'called Birmingham'.
The single punch was delivered with such force it knocked Mr Yilmaz off his feet and he seemed to be knocked out before he even hit the floor of the tarmac in the road. It was clarified that Mr Yilmaz would 'not have seen the punch coming' and was left with bruising to his left side of his jaw, which was fractured.
The court was told, after the punch, Mr Jones did nothing to help but simply walked away as others gathered around. The court was told one person tried to put Mr Yilmaz into the recovery position and the person 'was upset with Mr Jones' and said 'are you serious'?
Later on it was reported that Mr Jones had said that he was 'disrespected' in terms of where he came from - a story corroborated by most eye-witnesses.
The prosecution suggested Mr Jones 'used violence against a man who posed no threat to him' despite his military training.
Emergency services took Mr Yilmaz to Exeter's R,D and E Hospital before later being transferred to Plymouth's Derriford for specialist help.
The court was told Mr Jones later agreed to attend a police appointment voluntarily and did ask about the 'condition' of Mr Yilmaz - as he agreed to be interviewed.
Mr Jones told police he 'wouldn't say that he was really drunk' that night but started to 'feel uncomfortable' because 'the man was saying stuff about where he was from'. He said he wasn't sure where the punch had landed and confirmed he'd undergone 'marine training' which had taught him how to throw a punch.
The defendant told the police interview that he 'might have felt a bit threatened' by the man and the punch was not pre-emptive - and it was not something he 'thought about'.
The judge today said Mr Jones was entitled to a 25 per cent credit for an early guilty plea – whilst he reflected that without alcohol this incident ‘might not have occurred’.
He was told he was of ‘good character’ and making a positive contribution to society but reflected on the ‘second or two of madness’ which has ‘stunned and disappointed those who know you well.
Mr Jones was told his chosen career was in ‘tatters’.
Senior Investigating Officer Detective Inspector Christopher Lithgow, of the Major Crime Investigation Team, said: “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”.