In this episode of Full Comment, we explore the devastating consequences of a single act of violence and the powerful role restorative justice can play in the aftermath of tragedy.

Danielle Reece-Greenhalgh and Edward Grange discuss the case of James Hodgkinson, a 28-year-old trainee paramedic who died after an unprovoked punch outside a Nottingham bar in 2011, and the remarkable journey that followed.

Through the story of James and the young man responsible for his death, we examine what happens when impulsive behaviour collides with irreversible harm, why sentencing can feel so at odds with a victim’s loss, and how restorative justice sometimes offers answers the criminal justice system cannot.

From the emotional impact on the victim’s family to the offender’s attempt to rebuild his life, this episode asks difficult questions about intent, responsibility, rehabilitation, and whether anything good can ever emerge from such a senseless death.

A sobering and thought-provoking listen, particularly as the festive season approaches and nights out become more frequent, reminding us that one moment of anger can change countless lives.