CCTV footage shows a thug who killed a grandad with a single punch calmly returning back to his home after leaving his victim for dead outside a village pub.

Nathan Gothard, 37, knocked David Darke, 66 to the ground near the Crown Inn in Appleby Magna, days before Christmas last year leaving him with a cracked skull.

A court heard how Good Samaritan Mr Darke had been trying to help Gothard back back to his feet after the killer has lost a fight outside the pub with another man.

But the violent yob then turned his anger on Mr Darke instead and flew at him in a rage - causing Mr Darke to fall back and hit his head on the ground.

Tragically, he never regained consciousness and died six days later at the Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham on December 27.

Today (Thurs) Gothard of Appleby Magna, was cleared of murder but found guilty of manslaughter at Leicester Crown Court.

He will be sentenced on May 22.

The court heard Mr Darke had been on a Christmas night out on December 21 and during the evening Gothard was harassing and making unwelcome advances to female members of Mr Darke's group.

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Gothard ignored requests from the group to leave them alone, and because of this he was asked repeatedly to leave by staff.

He eventually left after 20 minutes but ten minutes later Mr Darke and his friends left the venue to find Gothard outside.

Gothard had just been knocked to the ground and kicked by another man named Ty Fern who he had started a fight with.

Mr Darke tried to help Gothard to his feet but was then punched by the defendant and left with the unsurvivable head injury.

Detective Inspector Kevin Hames, from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit (EMSOU) Murder Investigation Team, said: "In those fateful few moments a family have been left devastated, and the perpetrator now faces a lengthy term in prison.

"Gothard's actions that day could have been avoided if he had just walked away.

"This case highlights how one-punch encounters can result in the loss of life.

"Dave's family have shown immense courage throughout the investigation and legal process; this has been in no way easy for them.

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"We hope this outcome now helps them to come to terms with the events of that night and the loss of their loved one."

Nathan Gothard knocked David Darke, 66 to the ground near the Crown Inn in Appleby Magna

In a statement previously, Mr Darke's family said: "Dave was a deeply loved father to three daughters and a proud grandfather to three boys.

"He was a much-loved brother and a dear friend. Dave will live on forever in our hearts, minds and souls.

"He was a strong, active, intelligent and kind person who was a friend to all.

"He was a devoted family man with a deep passion for life, the outdoors, nature and walking.

"His life was tragically cut short and he's now reunited with his loving, caring parents. He will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved him."