**Seven-Year Prison Sentence for German National After Welsh Father Killed on Prague Stag Party**
A Czech court has sentenced a 27-year-old German man to seven years in prison following the fatal attack on Welsh father David ‘Dai’ Richards, who died after being struck with a vodka bottle during a stag party in Prague. The incident, which took place in the latter half of September last year, has sent shockwaves through Richards’ home community in Mountain Ash, Rhondda Cynon Taf, and beyond.
According to official reports, Richards, a well-loved father of three, travelled to the Czech capital to celebrate a friend’s upcoming wedding. Unbeknownst to him and his companions, a chance encounter with another group of tourists would end with tragic consequences. Czech authorities explained that the atmosphere had initially been friendly, with the groups engaging in casual conversation in Prague’s bustling city centre. However, this soon escalated into conflict.
Czech police spokesman Jan Daněk described how the mood changed abruptly. “At first, everything was calm and the tourists were chatting normally,” he said. But the situation unravelled rapidly and, during the altercation, German national Joel Hoppe delivered a single, powerful blow to Richards’ head using a vodka bottle. The impact was described as so severe that Richards collapsed immediately and later succumbed to his injuries in hospital.
Post-mortem examination carried out in Prague revealed that the 31-year-old sustained fatal brain trauma, including swelling and haemorrhaging. In light of these findings, an inquest was opened in Pontypridd, Wales, last October, but adjourned to allow for a thorough investigation.
At the resulting trial in Prague, Hoppe, who was under the influence of alcohol and drugs at the time of the attack, pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm resulting in death, as well as disorderly conduct. He admitted in court that he acted in a fit of rage, expressing deep remorse and acknowledging the irreparable damage he had inflicted. “Not a day goes by that I don’t think about the late David and his children,” Hoppe told the judiciary, adding that he would accept whatever sentence was handed down.
Several of Richards’ family members travelled to Prague to attend the sentencing, a decision Hoppe said “breaks my heart” to witness. The state prosecutor initially called for a minimum sentence of eight years imprisonment plus a decade-long expulsion from the Czech Republic. However, the presiding judge, Daniella Sarah Sotolářová, imposed a seven-year term after weighing Hoppe’s guilty plea, demonstration of remorse, and history of good conduct. She also suggested the court did not believe Hoppe intended to cause death. Alongside his prison sentence and a 10-year ban from the Czech Republic, Hoppe has been ordered to pay 4.7 million Czech crowns (approximately £158,758) in compensation to Richards’ bereaved family.
Described by loved ones as “an absolutely amazing father, partner, son, brother, and friend,” Richards was a central figure in his local community. His partner Jola Simms, with whom he shared three children—Aurora, Bear, and Vienna—joined friends and relatives in paying heartfelt tributes. “He was the glue of the family,” they said in a joint statement last September. They also sought to emphasise the unprovoked nature of the assault, stating: “It wasn’t a fight… It was a blind attack.”
Community tributes have poured in since the tragedy, with local football club AFC Abercynon, where Richards played, also paying its respects. The family continues to grapple with loss, and Welsh authorities have promised a comprehensive investigation to ensure all circumstances surrounding the case are fully understood.
As the legal process in the Czech Republic draws to a close, the case remains open in the UK. The adjourned inquest is expected to resume once international legal proceedings conclude, with Richards’ loved ones hoping for further clarity and, ultimately, peace.
The loss of David ‘Dai’ Richards has left a lasting impact both in Wales and among all those involved, highlighting the unforeseen dangers that can arise in fleeting moments, and the enduring consequences for those left behind.