A man has been sentenced to six and a half years in prison after killing a former St Albans resident with one punch.

Herts Advertiser: The family of slain prison officer, Nick Medlin, formerly of St Albans, have paid tribute to him.The family of slain prison officer, Nick Medlin, formerly of St Albans, have paid tribute to him. (Image: Photo supplied by Hampshire Police)

Michael Hudson, 33, admitted the manslaughter of 57-year-old Nick Medlin, a prison guard and football referee.

Nick, formerly of Park Street, died following a head injury outside the Rose Inn pub in Ventnor, on the Isle of Wight, in the early hours of Christmas Day 2016.

The former businessman was well-known as a football referee in St Albans, until moving to the Isle of Wight in 2014 to forge a new career as a prison guard on the island.

He also played in a punk band, Manufactured Romance, from 1978 to 1982, and also played as bassist for bands The Defamers, The Vulz and The Boys.

Speaking following Nick’s death, guitarist and singer Honest John Plain of The Boys said: “I have just heard about the death of Nick Medlin and am shocked, stunned and extremely upset by the news.

“Nick was one of the nicest guys anyone could ever meet. My heart goes out to Nick’s lovely wife Dani and all his family.”

Nick was referee for the Herts Advertiser Sunday Football league, and his children were also involved in football.

Nick’s friend Peter Fisher said: “You couldn’t have met a nicer bloke. He became a prison officer because it was a challenge for him – he’d been running his own company, and he said he was going down to the Isle of Wight for a change.”

Michael Hudson, of no fixed address, punched Nick in the face, causing him to fall back and hit his head on the pavement.

Nick’s family released a statement after his death, which said: “We are completely devastated and totally heartbroken by the tragic death of Nick on Christmas Eve.

“The family wishes to thank everyone for their kind tributes.”

Nick’s friends described him as a ‘gentle giant’. Gary Pearce, part of the band The Vulz, said: “We toured around London. He was good, and over the decades that he was playing, he kept getting better.

“He was just one of the nicest guys you could ever meet. When Nick said he was going to become a prison officer, we laughed because he was soppy.

“I’m in absolute shock about his death. He would encourage me, and always pushed me further musically.”