JEALOUS Scott Humphrey killed his friend by punching him to the ground after finding out he had contacted his girlfriend on Facebook.
Humphrey, 27, of Bestwood Park, has been jailed for just over four years after admitting the manslaughter of dad-of-one Richard Rovetto.
The pair had been celebrating another friend's stag do in Mansfield and were travelling home in a taxi when the argument began.
Nottingham Crown Court heard yesterday that Humphrey had accused Mr Rovetto, 29, of "poking" his girlfriend on Facebook.
Prosecutor Gareth Gimson said: "The taxi driver recalls Scott Humphrey was accusing Richard Rovetto of contacting his girlfriend in the past and doing so via Facebook.
"The expression used is a 'poke'. Scott Humphrey said to Richard Rovetto, 'if you're such a good friend then why did you poke my missus?'
"Richard Rovetto said he didn't know it was his girlfriend. The exchange became more heated."
The court was told how Humphrey, of Queens Bower Road, punched Mr Rovetto "repeatedly" as he attempted to get out of the taxi in Bestwood Park Drive, Top Valley.
By the time Mr Rovetto, of Stanhope Crescent ,in Arnold, had got out, he was bleeding from his nose and face.
The fatal blow came when Humphrey punched Mr Rovetto in the face again and he fell to the ground, hitting his head on the pavement, causing devastating injuries.
He died in hospital in the early hours of July 27.
Humphrey fled the scene, but later handed himself into police.
Robert Egbuna, in mitigation, said: "The defendant is genuinely remorseful about his actions. He will never forget that day. As soon as Scott Humphrey heard about what had happened to Richard Rovetto, he was devastated.
"He has been very candid and admitted this offence from the very start."
Sentencing Humphrey to four years and four months in prison, Judge Gregory Dickinson QC said: "When you and him went out that evening, violence and death were the furthest things from your mind.
"You didn't intend to kill him. Part of the tragedy is that it's left to chance what happens. There will be a fight like this somewhere tonight and the person will get up and go home and the police will never hear about it."
Speaking after the hearing, Mr Rovetto's brother-in-law Jason Burley-Evans, 42, of Bestwood, said: "This was a waste of a life. We feel the sentence wasn't the justice we wanted for Richard. He was a much-loved person and it will be hard for us all to move on."
