It was when David Aubert started missing his daily calls to his younger brother that his family started to become worried about him. David, 59, was a friendly, likeable man who lived a fairly nomadic lifestyle. But he would always check in with his sibling to let him know what he'd been up to that day.
He'd never married but was close to his three brothers, with their parents passing away in 2017 and 2021. David had odd jobs in the building trade, and enjoyed a drink at his local pub before heading into town for a late night tipple.
He was well known by bar staff and doormen alike and noted for his pleasant demeanour and kindness, even giving them sweets or crisps to perk them up during a long night shift. They said he was never aggressive, a trait that those working in pubs and clubs can sadly experience on a regular basis.
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"He would talk to anybody," David's brother, 58-year-old Steve Aubert told the M.E.N. "He'd go around the street on his bike, just chatting to people."
But that friendly nature would ultimately cost him his life. After seeing two women sat on a step in Manchester's Gay Village, he started to engage them in conversation. Just seconds later, one of the women's boyfriend saw what was happening.
Without saying a word to David, 25-year-old Jonathan Adamson, who'd been rowing with his girlfriend on their night out after accusing her of dancing near other men, launched himself at him and landed a 'heavy flying punch' to the back of his head.
Sickening CCTV footage showed 'paranoid' Adamson jump in the air before landing the ultimately fatal blow, which knocked David out before he even hit the floor. He lay unconscious for a time, before coming round.
David was taken to hospital but declined further treatment. He was found dead at his home six days later.
Steve said of his older brother: "He was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Those two girls were there, he just said a couple of words to them, as he would to anyone. And then the guy just launched at him.
"When you see it coming you've got a chance to defend yourself. When you don't see a punch coming and it hits you right at the back of the head, that's the punch of a coward."
Adamson, from Stalybridge, Tameside, had been out drinking on June 1 last year with his girlfriend and another couple. David had also been out for a drink, firstly at the Grafton Arms near his flat close to the Manchester Royal Infirmary, before heading to Eva bar in the city centre, two venues where he was well thought of by staff.
Their paths crossed in the early hours as David made his way home, and as Adamson continued his argument with his partner.
There was 'nothing hostile' about David's words to the two women. But Adamson was obviously not in the mood for talking.
Utterly defenceless, David was attacked from behind. When he was taken to the Manchester Royal Infirmary, David refused treatment from doctors.
"He lives near the MRI, that's why he discharged himself," Steve said. "What I heard there was a long waiting time. He thought 'oh sack that' I'm going to go home.
"We heard afterwards it wouldn't have made a difference if he'd been seen anyway. He'd have been in an induced coma, because there was nothing they could have done anyway."
David arrived home at about 5.30am on June 2. At about 7am he went to the shop. He returned about half an hour later and had a coffee with a neighbour.
Then at about 11am he spoke to his brother on the phone. David was never seen alive again.
After missing their regular catch-up calls, his brother alerted those who manage the flat where his sibling lived. They looked inside and couldn't find David. His bike was missing, which they took to mean that he could be out and about.
But with David still missing his calls, the police were brought in and he was reported missing on June 8. "It was only after the police got involved that they kicked the door down, and he was found slumped between the bed and the wall," Steve said.
He had died at some stage as a result of traumatic head injuries, suffered as a result of the punch. Steve vividly remembered being told of the appalling news. "We felt sick," he said. "We got a phone call from police saying they found him. I took time off work.
"It's like a big chunk of you has gone, just took away."
As police began to piece together David's movements on June 1, the sickening footage of the fatal assault emerged. On June 12 Greater Manchester Police launched a media appeal in a bid to track down the killer, releasing still images from CCTV footage of the man they believed was responsible. The M.E.N. and other media published the images.
A few days after the attack, Adamson may have thought he'd got away with it. But justice was served close to home.
He was challenged by his own brother, who recognised him in the pictures. At this stage Adamson denied any involvement.
His mother also questioned her son, and he continued to protest his innocence. But while human witnesses can forget and misremember things, CCTV footage cannot lie.
After his mother drove him to the police station, Adamson admitted he'd punched someone who had been speaking with his girlfriend. He only pleaded guilty to manslaughter on Monday (April 18) when he was sentenced, but months earlier he'd said he would admit the offence when his lawyers were satisfied that the necessary medical evidence had been compiled, proving that David's death was caused by his punch.
"In my mind I never knew he meant to kill him, but he has done," Steve said. Adamson sent a letter of 'remorse, regret and apology' to David's family, which they read.
Asked whether he accepted Adamson's apology, Steve said: "I have myself. It is like closure for me now. We've had a few deaths in the past few years.
"Our Dave is still there in our hearts. We'll never forget him."
Jonathan Adamson, of Stocks Lane, Stalybridge, pleaded guilty to manslaughter. At Manchester Crown Court he was sentenced to seven years and four months in prison. He will serve two-thirds of his sentence in custody before being released on licence.
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