Daughter ‘disgusted’ by prison sentences for dad’s killers

A teenager whose dad was killed by one punch says she is outraged by the prison sentences given to his killers.

Dad-of-five Jason Gaskin, 53, died after he was attacked by Jake Wells, 28, and James Neeson, 50, after a Halloween party at Park Social Working Men’s Club in Balby, in Doncaster, a court heard.

Wells and Neeson were later charged and were sentenced at Sheffield Crown Court for Gaskin’s death yesterday.

Wells pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was jailed for four years and nine months imprisonment.

Neeson was originally sentenced to 12 months for assault occasioning actual bodily harm and perverting the course of justice but it was reduced to nine after he was assaulted outside of court.

Gaskin’s daughter, Maria, was 15 years old when her dad was killed. Now 18, the teen has blasted the judge’s sentencing.

She said: ‘A person who was involved in someone losing their life only gets nine months’ imprisonment – that is ridiculous.

‘Even four years for causing my dad’s death is not acceptable. I have read shoplifters and drug runners get more time. I have no words.

‘They were also on bail for the whole investigation and court process. Out free to live as if nothing happened, yet I had to live with the fact I had lost my dad.’

The court heard Gaskin had attended the venue with friends when it is thought he had a ‘verbal confrontation’ with Neeson’s wife during the incident on October 29, 2023.

CCTV shown to the court revealed Gaskin, a general metal dealer, talking to a woman as she danced around the table he was sitting at.

Neeson then walked around behind Gaskin and landed two quick punches to the side of his head. The row then moved outside and onto the neighbour’s street where the duo were followed by a small group which included Wells.

He is seen landing a single punch to the side of his head, knocking him clean out.

Gaskin fell to the floor and banged his head on the surface. He was found unconscious in the early hours of the morning and despite the best efforts of emergency services he sadly died at the scene.

Maria recalled: ‘My older sister had come around to pick me up and when she walked in she told me dad had died. At first I thought it was a lie, as I was only on the phone to him the day before.

‘I was on Facetime and he told me he was going with friends to a Halloween party. He said to me ‘you scrub up well our lass’ and that he loved me very much and to have a nice night.

‘People loved Dad. He lit up every room he was in. He was not troublesome. In fact, he hated altercations or arguments. The CCTV showed him walking away and that he never laid a finger on anyone.’

Officers from South Yorkshire Police immediately launched an investigation into Gaskin’s death, and extensive CCTV enquiries uncovered footage of two men, Jake Wells and James Neeson, attacking Jason in the minutes before his death.

Following the assault, in a shocking turn of events the court heard how Neeson disconnected the CCTV and hid the hard drives containing the incriminating footage in the loft space of the venue.

Officers later recovered the hard drives, unearthing the truth about Jason’s death.

In a victim impact statement read to the court, Gaskin’s widow, Charmaine, from whom he had been separated at the time of his death, said: ‘Jason was well known in the community. Everyone has a story to tell about him. He was larger than life.’

Senior Investigating Officer Detective Inspector Adam Watkinson, from SYP’s Major Crime Unit, said: ‘This was a devastating attack which led to the death of a much-loved father, grandfather, and husband.

‘Neeson’s attempt to cover up his and Wells’ involvement in Jason’s death showed a total lack of remorse and accountability.

‘Fortunately, officers were quick to recover the vital evidence and both men now face justice for their crimes.’

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