A mum of a ‘one punch’ victim is calling for harsher sentences after her son was killed by a ‘disrespected’ Royal Marine – when he asked ‘are you a Brummie?’
Ann-Marie Yilmaz said she will never get over the death of her eldest son Cemal John Yilmaz, who was punched by stranger Joseph Jones during a night out. The killer hit the popular chef with a ‘thunderous’ blow and knocked him unconscious before hit his head on the concrete and sustained fatal injuries.
Cemal, 39, was rushed to hospital but succumbed to his injuries four days later. The court heard Jones, 23, of Wolverhampton, then walked off leaving his victim dying on the ground while telling pals he punched Cemal as he felt ‘disrespected’ when asked if he was from Birmingham.
View 4 ImagesCemal died after he was attacked by the Royal Marine (Image: Family Submit)
He admitted manslaughter but Ann-Marie described his sentence as an ‘insult’ after being told he has been ear-marked for release in August next year – after serving just 17 months. The Marine had recently passed out at the Lympstone Commando Training Centre near Exmouth, Devon, and had been filmed earlier that night drinking and dancing in a pub hours before the fatal punch was thrown.
Exeter Crown Court heard after taking offence at being asked if he was a Brummie, he turned violent and punched Cemal as he turned away. After being initially arrested for GBH and then murder, he pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced to three and a half years in prison in March.
The mum, 55, of Exmouth, Devon, said she was horrified to learn last week he won’t even serve two thirds of the sentence as the judge had originally started – and had been earmarked for early release.
She said: “This government needs a wake-up call. Too many people are getting away with one punch things.
“We are just horrified and disgusted with the whole system. It is an insult to Cem. It is an insult to us and our son – he lost his life to his stupid little Royal Marine.
“I couldn’t believe it. It was described as a ‘moment of madness’ but the Marines take these lads on and they go on to fight for our country, using firearms. Their hands are used to kill people. If they have no firearms their hands are like machines.”
Cemal had been out with friends at a local pub on 12 December last year before heading over to a bar in Exmouth known as The Loft. He then encountered a group of Royal Marines outside – including Joseph Jones – who were stationed out of the nearby Lympstone training camp.
View 4 ImagesJones knocked Cemal unconscious with a single punch (Image: Devon and Cornwall Police)
Jones eventually admitted manslaughter after 155 witness statements were submitted and told by the judge he would serve two thirds of his sentence. Ann-Marie said the whole family were outraged at the leniency of the sentence and said they felt the Royal Marines had ‘thrown a blanket’ around Jones, who had recently passed out at the Lympstone training centre, and had tried to minimalise what had happened to avoid negative publicity.
Jones had later told cops he “did not realise” how hard he had punched him’. Ann-Marie, said they hadn’t received any kind of compassion or sympathy from the Royal Marines but called for a ‘dishonourable discharge’ for Jones when he is back on the street.
Cem was born in Manchester but had moved with his family to Exmouth when he was 18 as they wanted to raise the children in a ‘nice, quiet are.’ His mum added: “He loved life, never got unhappy and always had a smile on himself. He was fun to be around, a great guy and was not malicious at all. He was born happy.
“He was gorgeous, lovely, kind and full of life. He did not hurt a fly and was just a lovely guy inside and out.
“He wore his heart on his sleeve and knew everybody in the community and was very family-orientated. He had his whole life ahead of him and didn’t deserve what happened.”
Ann-Marie said that although the community rallied round and more than 500 people attended his funeral, she had received no support at all from the marines or anyone from Lympstone.
View 4 ImagesAnn-Marie Yilmaz is calling for harsher sentences (Image: DevonLive)
She also criticised a decision to move him to an open prison. The family, including Cemal’s dad Oz Yilmaz, 55, and their other son Merik Yilmaz, 25, lodged a lenient sentencing appeal shortly after but have been told it has already been turned down.
They now want to campaign around vital awareness of the dangers of a ‘one-punch death’.
She added: “We just couldn’t believe the lenient sentence. I walked out numb. My barrister got me into a little room with the CPS and sadi we will try and get it reviewed.
“Hearing people say what a good person he was left me gobsmacked. It was like being in a Carry On film. It was a joke and an insult to my son and all of us.
“It’s a life sentence for all of us.
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“I don’t go out anymore. I can not face to go out. There were 500 people at his funeral and nearly every pub in Exmouth was full.
“But I can not face anybody now – none of us can. We are all just in a daze. Yet he has got this sentence and will be out next year living his life. He will be looked after no doubt. We are here with no son, just pictures of him and that is it.
“I am just existing – I don’t want to really move on.” The Royal Navy, of which the Royal Marines is part of, has been contacted for comment.