Killer gets life sentence

A Stafford teenager who kicked and stamped a "vulnerable" man to death in the street was told today he will have to spend at least 13 years behind bars.

Terry Dillon, pictured, was given the mandatory life sentence but Mr Justice McKinnon said he could be considered for parole after serving the minimum term less the 170 days he has spent in custody on remand.

The judge, who heard earlier the killing had shattered the lives of the victim's family, told Dillon he would still not be released if it was felt necessary to keep him in custody for the protection of the public.

Dillon, aged 19, of Plant Crescent, had denied the murder of Daniel Davis but was found guilty by a jury earlier this month.

The jury heard Mr Davis, who lived with his family in Boon Grove, Rickerscote, was kicked and stamped upon so hard that an imprint of his assailant's shoe was left on his forehead.

Mr Justice McKinnon told Dillon it was unprovoked violence "fuelled to some extent by the amount you had to drink."

Before sentence was passed Mr Nick Burn, prosecuting, read to a hushed court the victim impact statement of Mr Davis's mother Beverley.

She said when told her only son had passed away "the shock, devastation and disbelief was unreal.

"Then to have to listen to what happened, there are no words to describe how we feel and these feelings will never leave us. Having your child taken in such brutal and pointless circumstances has caused complete devastation to our family.

"The person who has committed this terrible and violent act has the rest of his life to look forward to but we are left with the loss of our son, which we are struggling to come to terms with."

Mr Burn added that in her statement Mrs Davis says her husband had found it too upsetting to make a statement of his own. Daniel's sister Laura, described him in her statement as: "Vulnerable, an easy target for bullies."

The court also heard Dillon has previous convictions for violence.

Mr Rex Tedd QC, defending, said his client "has genuine remorse for killing a man was willing to admit manslaughter at an early stage."