Family of man killed at Weymouth hotel speak after sentencing

Daniel Hrycyszyn, 35, died from internal bleeding after being held in a tight hold around his chest by Joe Michael Williams in a violent dispute on December 30, 2023.

Joe Williams (Image: Dorset Police)

Williams, 19, was sentenced to 8 years at Bournemouth Crown Court yesterday for manslaughter. He will serve four years in jail and will be subject of an extended licence period for a further four years.

The judge in the case said Williams - who was said to have a history of violence against others - poses ' a significant risk of serious harm to the public'.

The defendant - who has been diagnosed with ADHD, Asperger's and autism - understands the 'the incredible consequences' that have come from this incident, the court heard.

The court heard that Mr Hrycyszyn had been living at Hotel Central in Maiden Street in December 2023, but was moved into a nearby guest house at the time of his death.

After a night out drinking, he had returned to Hotel Central to collect his belongings and entered the room of another occupant.

The occupant returned and an 'altercation' broke out between Mr Hrycyszyn and other residents.

He went into the bar and lounge area where his belongings were being kept.

Williams, 19, was also living at the hotel and at around 11pm, he entered the room with Mr Hrycyszyn for around 90 seconds, where witnesses described he held the victim in a chokehold and punched him in the nose.

A window was broken and Williams was seen to be holding Mr Hrycyszyn on the floor, with his arm around his neck. 

Williams left the room boasting about how he had held Mr Hrycyszyn in a chokehold.

The police were called during the altercation.

Shortly after they arrived, and whilst they were establishing what had happened, Mr Hrycyszyn's condition deteriorated and he collapsed.

Mr Hrycyszyn was taken downstairs to the reception area and, despite the efforts of officers and paramedics who attended, his condition deteriorated and he died at the scene.

A post-mortem examination revealed that Mr Hrycyszyn had died as a result of severe internal bleeding in the abdominal area.

The court saw CCTV footage from inside the hotel on the night he died.

It showed Williams entering the room with Mr Hrycyszyn, and him leaving with injuries to his face.

Williams said he had put Mr Hrycyszyn "on the floor" because he "was drunk" and had "smashed a window upstairs".

The court heard victim impact statements from Mr Hrycyszyns's family.

His father said how he and his wife had adopted Mr Hrycyszyn and his sister.

They said he was a "delightful and talkative boy who had lots of friends from many sports clubs".

Mr Hrycyszyn had been on probation and his family said he was looking forward to this period ending, but he died six days before his probation expired.

His father said: "How on earth will we ever be able to cope in his absence?

"We have been with him for his entire life, we moved him from one place to another since he was 18.

"He was finally in Weymouth where he said he was happier than before.

"It has been seven months since we last spoke to him, yet it seems like an eternity.

"We want to call him every day.

"Daniel was stolen from us far too early, it was tragic, and it always will be.

"We will mourn for eternity."

The court also heard a victim statement from his former partner, Hannah.

Unknown to Mr Hrycyszyn, at the time of his death, Hannah was carrying his child.

She said: "(Williams) has damaged mine and my son's life.

"I know Daniel would be so proud of (our son).

"Daniel understood and loved me the most, (Williams) took that away from me in a burst of anger."

There was finally a statement from Daniel's sister Layla.

She said: "It was always two of us from the start - we were inseparable.

"My first word was Danny - we were two peas in a pod.

"Every single day I have vivid thoughts of my brother being punched and kicked to death.

"He was killed by Joe Williams, who stood by laughing and boasting.

"I am haunted by the horror of it every single day."