Former Royal Marine jailed after pleading guilty to manslaughter

A 22-year-old man from Wolverhampton, has been jailed for three-and-a-half years after pleading guilty to manslaughter at Exeter Crown Court, following the death of a man in Exmouth.

Joseph Jones, 22, admitted the charge after assaulting Cemal John Yilmaz, 29, from Exmouth, on Saturday 13 December 2025.

Mr Yilmaz was taken to Derriford Hospital, in Plymouth, in a serious condition but despite treatment, he died of his injuries on Tuesday 16 December.

At the sentencing hearing held at Exeter Crown Court, it was heard that Jones had punched Mr Yilmaz.

It was described how both men had been drinking in Exmouth on Friday 12th December 2025 and had encountered each other on Church Street.

Jones, of Chillington Lane, Codsall, Wolverhampton, had been with friends celebrating their recent passing out parade as Royal Marines.

Jones and the victim had exchanged words, which Jones later described in his initial police interview as making him feel uncomfortable and that Mr Yilmaz was too close to him.

The victim was heard to say: “You’re a Brummie” to which Jones replied: “No, I’m from Wolverhampton.”

It was after this exchange that Jones struck Mr Yilmaz in the face with a single, fast, jab-style punch to the face, causing the victim to instantly fall to the ground.

While other people tried to treat Mr Yilmaz and called an ambulance, Jones left the scene and returned to the Royal Marine Commando Training Camp at Lympstone.

On the afternoon of Saturday 13^th December Joseph Jones presented himself in at Exeter Police Station, where he was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder.

In a police interview that afternoon, when asked if he was aware of the consequences of punching somebody, he said: “I didn’t, well I didn’t ever, I didn’t ever think consequences could be this, could be this dire. 

"With my own punches, I didn’t, I didn’t think I could, I didn’t think I could do something like this, I didn’t.”

He was later charged with grievous bodily harm with intent.

Following the death of Mr Yilmaz, Jones was further arrested on Monday 29 December on suspicion of murder.

Jones was charged with manslaughter and appeared at Exeter Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 31 December and was released on conditional bail.

Jones pleaded guilty to manslaughter when he appeared at Exeter Crown Court on Wednesday 4 February and today, Friday 13 March, Jones was sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison, to serve two years four months before being released on licence.

A spokesperson for the family said: “Cemal John Yilmaz was born on the 29 September 1996 and was the first of our two sons.

“Cem as we called him was the loveliest, warmest and kindest person you would ever meet, he would help anybody in need and always had time for a laugh and a chat.

“We could spend a lifetime telling you how amazing Cem was, he brightened up the darkest of places and brought people out of bad places when they needed to escape, a complete selfless person always.

 “Cem never had a bad word to say about anyone, he loved his life, he loved his family, he was the highest of the high. He always turned a negative into a positive.

“He was loved by his family and friends and the community in Manchester where he was born and in Exmouth where he made his home.

“This senseless act of violence has ripped our family apart, it has taken our son from us, our brother from us, there are not enough words in the world to describe the depths of our pain and loss.

“We do not want something like this to happen to anyone else's family.”

Senior Investigating Officer Detective Inspector Christopher Lithgow, of the Major Crime Investigation Team, said: “This was a chance encounter between two people that night, that has tragically affected the lives of all involved.

“Mr Jones will now have to deal with the consequences of his actions.

“I wish to express my deep sympathy to the family of Mr Yilmaz and I commend their bravery throughout this process.

“I have had the pleasure of meeting the family of Mr Yilmaz and it was immediately clear just how loved and adored he was by so many.”