FAMILY members of a Southampton man who died after an assault outside outside a city pub have described his death as a “senseless loss of life”.

It comes after the man accused of killing Perry Cardy admitted causing the 52-year-old’s death.

Yesterday, at Winchester Crown Court, Harry Joyce, 27, pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Mr Cardy.

Mr Cardy died in hospital on Sunday, April 21, two days after he was assaulted outside the Bittern pub.

Speaking after Joyce's plea hearing, Mr Cardy’s sister, Mandy Hunter, said: “This is a mindless incident that has left our family devastated and angry.

"We are trying to live with out a son, brother, uncle and dad and for many, a great friend and work colleague.

"It is a senseless loss of life and his death has been a big loss to us.

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"We can only hope in time that the pain will ease. He will never be forgotten and his memory will be kept alive.”

As previously reported in the Daily Echo, Mr Cardy died in Southampton General Hospital two days after an assault outside the Bittern pub in Thornhill Park Road on Friday, April 19.

Joyce was arrested on suspicion of Mr Cardy’s murder following the incident.

Yesterday, Joyce, of no fixed address, denied murder.

He pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter – a plea accepted by the Crown Prosecution Service.

Joyce is due to be sentenced later today.

As previously reported in the Echo, Southampton-born and-bred, Mr Cardy, a father-of-three, worked in the building trade since leaving Moorhill School.

He had worked for firm KJ Parker’s for 15 years up until his death.

Mr Cardy lived on Thornhill Park Road – the same road as the Bittern pub.

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Mrs Hunter, 55, who owns a party decorating business, previously described Mr Cardy as “a jolly character”.

She said: “He was loved by everyone.

“He was a working man who would work Monday to Friday and would enjoy a drink with his friends at the weekend.

She added: “As siblings, we were always there for each other.”

Last month, hundreds of friends and family members said their final farewells to Mr Cardy, who was carried into his funeral inside a Foster’s can-themed coffin.

Among those to attend included friends, workmates and family members, some of whom flew in from America.

Mrs Hunter previously said: “People thought the Foster’s can idea was really appropriate for Perry and it went down really well.”