Police will “carefully examine” the findings of a coroner who ruled that a man was unlawfully killed by a punch on a night out.

Riccardo Holness died after he was punched outside a bar in Beckenham three years ago but the man who punched him has not faced criminal charges. 

On Thursday (November 7) Edmund Gritt, assistant coroner for south London, recorded a verdict of unlawful killing following a two day inquest. 

Reacting to the verdict, Riccardo’s older sister, Ramona Marsh, said: “Today feels like a first step towards justice for Riccardo, but it shouldn’t take almost three years of having to fight for any form of justice to reach this stage.  

“Until this week, Riccardo’s attacker has been able to hide away from what he did on that night. Now, his actions have been considered in a court, and have been found to have been unlawful.” 

Following the inquest a spokesperson for the Met Police said: “Following the outcome of the inquest, officers will carefully examine the Coroner’s findings. Our thoughts continue to remain with Riccardo’s family at this time. 

“A thorough police investigation was carried out into the circumstances of his death, including analysing CCTV and speaking to those who were present and witnessed the incident. 

“All the evidence was presented to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) who decided that the case should be discontinued.” 

When approached for comment on the outcome of the inquest, a CPS spokesperson said: “Our sympathies remain with Mr Holness’ family for the tragic loss they have suffered. 

“We can only bring a prosecution when there is a realistic prospect of securing a conviction – our prosecutors reviewed this case with diligence and care, and concluded there was no realistic prospect of conviction on the evidence available. 

“We recognise this has been difficult for Mr Holness’ family, and we have taken care to keep them informed of our decision-making throughout the process.” 

Assistant coroner Mr Gritt said: “Riccardo died in King’s College Hospital in Denmark Hill on November 12, 2021, from catastrophic injuries to the head and neck sustained when he was involved a drunken altercation outside a bar in Beckenham High Street. 

“In the course of which he was punched once to the head without warning from the side, and with the full force causing him to fall to the ground where he struck his head.”