Luke Brownsdon, convicted in absentia for the 2019 killing of Matt Jeffery with a single punch during a stag do in Zante, faces extradition to Greece after a UK court ruling. Jeffery died from head injuries sustained in the altercation outside a nightclub. Brownsdon, sentenced to 12 years, has raised concerns about prison conditions and trial fairness.
A man convicted of killing a fellow British holidaymaker with a single punch during a drunken brawl outside a nightclub will be extradited to a Greek prison.
Father-of-two Matt Jeffery, 35, from Yeovil, Somerset, was punched in the street outside the Sizzle bar in the beach resort town of Laganas, Zante, on May 23, 2019. Mr Jeffery, who had travelled to the Greek island with friends on a stag do, fell to the ground and hit his head on the pavement. He died five days later from his injuries. Luke Brownsdon and a second man were arrested and charged, but were allowed to leave the island.
They were both convicted in their absence in a Greek court in March 2023, with Brownsdon - who was accused of landing the fatal punch - handed 12 years for causing fatal bodily harm with serious intent. His co-defendant was given 10 years. On Friday, Westminster Magistrates' Court ordered that Brownsdon should be extradited to Greece to serve his sentence.
He has been held inside a British prison since his arrest in April 2025 by officers from the National Extradition Unit. CCTV from the scene showed a fight initially broke out between Mr Jeffery and his friends, and another group from Essex who were not known to them, while inside the nightclub. Mr Jeffery and his group left shortly afterwards, but the Essex group followed the men outside.
Footage taken on a mobile phone showed him being approached by two men before being struck in the face. Westminster Magistrates' Court heard that Brownsdon, after being arrested by Greek police, told them he had been drinking and could not control his actions at the time.
He also told the court he had not been provided with an interpreter during police interviews, was not represented fairly at his Greek trial and had been unaware of when it was due to take place. Brownsdon also argued his extradition would contravene Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights because of overcrowding in Greek prisons. The court heard that the jail he would be sent to in Patras was already at 139% occupancy.
Brownsdon, who challenged the extradition request in June, now has seven days to appeal the ruling. He has also launched an appeal against his conviction and sentence, which is due to be heard in November in Greece. Avon and Somerset Police told Daily Mail an investigation had been opened into Mr Jeffery's death.
In a statement, the force said: 'We've opened an investigation into the death of 35-year-old Matthew Jeffery, from Templecombe, who died after being assaulted in Laganas, on the Greek island of Zakynthos, in May 2019. Matthew's death is subject to a criminal investigation in Greece and there are ongoing legal proceedings underway. Officers with our Major Crime Investigation Team are making active enquiries and will continue to liaise with the Greek authorities.
A specialist family liaison officer is supporting Matthew's family to keep them fully updated on any developments.
' At the time of the incident in 2019 Mr Jeffery had been on a stag do with a group of close friends. Sheridan Knight, the groom for whom the stag do was organized, posted a heartfelt tribute on Facebook, saying: 'This is the most painful thing I've ever had to write. I can't put into words my devastation and upset, my heart is broken, we went away with my closest friends for a celebration for me getting hitched.
Matt you really were a one in a million, I have made some of the best memories of my life with you and that is something I will never forget. You went above and beyond for me and everyone who's crossed your path, you were one of the kindest and one of the most supportive people anyone would want to meet.
I feel extremely privileged to have had you in my life and I will never forget what you have done for me. I will miss you deeply and so will everyone. All my love. RIP Matt Jeffery'
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