An England fan from Redditch who killed a Wales supporter outside Wembley Stadium in a "heartbreaking" attack has been jailed for three years at the Old Bailey.

Michael Dye, 44, died from head injuries inflicted by what one witness described as a single "sickening punch" before a crucial Euro 2012 qualifier between England and Wales on September 6.

Ian Mytton, 41, of Gately Close, Redditch, pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of the father-of-three last month and wept in court as he was sentenced today.

In a statement read out in court, the victim's wife Nathalie Dye, who wiped tears from her eyes throughout the sentencing, said: "The man who caused Mike's death might as well have killed me that night. Part of me died alongside Mike.

"The only thing to look forward to is being with my darling husband once again."

CCTV footage showed Mytton approaching Dye on a concourse outside the stadium, in north-west London, before punching him once at about 7.20pm, 25 minutes before the match kicked off, and then walking away.

Dye was taken to Northwick Park Hospital after suffering a fractured skull but died soon after his arrival.

Prosecutor Philip Bennetts QC said one eyewitness described the punch as "sickening".

"It was something you would see in a boxing ring," said the witness.

"As a football fan I have seen many scuffles but the force of that punch was such that it was something I will never forget," said the witness.

Judge Anthony Morris said: "As you said in your letter to me - 'the two people, Michael Dye and myself were just going to a football match, for one of us to lose his life and for one of us to end up in prison is heartbreaking' - and I would agree with that."

"It is a tragedy, most of all for the family and friends of Michael Dye," said the judge. "They have lost a husband, a brother, a father and a friend."

He described the attack as "unprovoked" and the force of the blow as "considerable".

The judge said Dye was "poleaxed" from the force of the punch and fell backwards without trying to stop himself, hitting his head on the ground and suffering "massive brain damage".

He acknowledged that Mytton had drunk five pints of lager that day and was holding a can of Strongbow as he and five friends approached Dye and his friend Anthony Riella, who had also been drinking.

But in mitigation he recognised the fact that Mytton handed himself in to police and was now suffering from depression.

Earlier, prosecutor Bennetts described Mytton and his friends shouting abuse at Riella and Dye.

"There were shouts of 'you f****** sheep s*******' and 'f*** off'," said Mr Riella in a witness statement.