A martial arts practitioner from Lincoln has been sentenced to six years and eight months in prison for the manslaughter of a local man in what authorities described as an unprovoked assault last December.
37-year-old Max Skidmore appeared at Lincoln Crown Court on October 10, where he received his sentence for the death of Eddie Roberts. He will also serve an additional two years on licence following his release.
According to sources, the incident occurred on Carholme Road in Lincoln on the evening of December 8, 2024. Roberts was simply making his way home when he encountered Skidmore. What followed was a brief but devastating assault that would claim Roberts’ life.
According to Lincolnshire Police, Roberts sustained fatal injuries from a single punch delivered by Skidmore. The blow caused the victim to fall, resulting in a catastrophic head injury. Despite the rapid response of emergency services from the East Midlands Ambulance Service, Roberts died shortly after the incident.
Skidmore, who had briefly participated in Muay Thai competition with one recorded bout in 2019, was initially arrested on suspicion of causing Grievous Bodily Harm. Following Roberts’ death, the arrest was upgraded to murder. On December 10, just two days after the incident, detectives from the Major Crime Unit charged him with manslaughter.
The victim’s son, Sean Roberts, provided a moving tribute to his father, painting a picture of a dedicated parent and loyal companion.
“Eddie, my dad was truly one of a kind, hilarious, caring, loving and as stubborn as they come. He raised me pretty much on his own for most of my life and even though it was tough a lot of the time, he never gave up,” Sean said.
He described his father as a skilled worker who was always ready to offer guidance and support. “He stood by me through all my roughest times in life and even though we would bicker about stupid things on a Monday, by Friday we would be laughing and joking together, he was my rock.”
Sean recalled that his father served as best man at his wedding, a moment filled with pride. The two maintained daily contact, with Sean regularly visiting and bringing his father’s favourite crisps.
“It hasn’t just been a father taken from me, but a brother, a confidant, a best friend and my right-hand man, all in one. I’ll never hear his voice or laugh with him, never play pool with him and my wife, never go on our adventures or just simply never see his face ever again; and without him now my life truly will never be the same again,” Sean said.
Detective Inspector Andy McWatt, who led the investigation, reflected on the profound consequences of a momentary act of violence.
“This was a tragic incident which claimed the life of a man who was just walking home,” he stated. “Just one punch can ruin the lives of both the victim and the person who throws the punch, and this case sadly demonstrates that. It’s important that people think about their actions and know that they can have devastating consequences.”
Detective Inspector McWatt expressed hope that the sentencing would provide some measure of peace to the grieving family. “We hope that today’s sentence brings some form of closure to Eddie’s family. Our deepest sympathies remain with his family, friends and everyone who knew him.”
