Reveller dies after street attack

Mr Allan lost consciousness after being punched

A father-of-one has died a week after being punched during a night out with a football club.

Police said 34-year-old Ian Allan had been out drinking in Newcastle with fellow players from the city's St Theresa's Catholic Club when an argument started as they waited for taxis to go home.

Mr Allan, a married man with a three-year-old daughter, of Kelso Drive, North Shields, fell to the ground after being punched on 22 December.

He never regained consciousness and died in Newcastle General Hospital.

'Classic case'

One man has been arrested in connection with the incident but police are keen to speak to anyone who saw the fight, near Newcastle Quayside, around 2200 GMT.

Detective Superintendent Ian Sharp from Northumbria Police, said: "This is another classic case of a fight among friends going too far with absolutely tragic consequences.

"If you have had a drink the best advice is just to walk away, no matter how difficult that is.

"Our thoughts are with Mr Allan's wife and daughter at this time of the year.

"They have lost a husband and a father and no Christmas will ever be the same again."

Mr Allan's family, who are too upset to speak about the incident, issued a short statement Northumbria Police.

It said: "We are devastated at this loss."