A TEENAGE thug shopped by his mum has been branded a ‘cold-blooded killer’ by the victim’s wife.

Terence Henry Gaskin, 19, of Darwen, was today beginning a four-year sentence in a young offenders’ institution for the manslaughter of a devoted father-of-four.

Gaskin, who had been drinking heavily, begged his mum not to report him.

The judge labelled Gaskin, who killed father-of-four Kenneth Turnbull, 51, with a single punch, a ‘coward’.

His ‘inexcusable’ attack on Mr Turnbull - who was walking home alone after enjoying a curry with a friend - was completely unprovoked.

After the hearing it emerged that Gaskin had three previous assault convictions and the judge said there was the risk of further offending.

Mr Turnbull’s wife Anita, of Darwen, said: "Ken was walking home, back to us, minding his own business. He didn't deserve any of this.

“Gaskin knew he was going to run across the road and punch Ken. To me that is a cold-blooded killing.

"But what ever sentence they gave it was never going to bring Ken back."

Judge Anthony Russell QC, recorder of Preston, told Gaskin: “Mr Turnbull had the misfortune to come across you shortly after midnight.

“In a space of a few seconds you have struck him with a single blow to the face and killed him instantly “This was unprovoked, completely inexcusable violence.

"Your actions were those of a coward, committing an unprovoked attack on a vulnerable person.

“You will have the death of Mr Turnbull on your conscience for the remainder of you life even when you have been released from your sentence.

“The family of your victim will suffer forever.”

Gaskin was reported to the police by his mother Wendy Hutchinson after admitting to her and his brother Michael that he had killed someone.

In court it was revealed the teenager, previously of Bright Street, had three previous convictions which included common assault in July 2005 and actual bodily harm on December 2006 where he and a group of youths set about attacking someone.

Prosecuting barrister Francis McEntee told Preston Crown Court that Gaskin had left the scene of the attack near to the White Lion Public House, The Green, Darwen, in the early hours of August 11 when police arrived.

He then bought two bottles of cider, not returning home until 4pm Mr McEntee said: “He spoke to his brother Michael. He was upset and crying he said ’I think I have killed someone. They are dead.’ “He said ‘Mr Turnbull had been giving him sxxx so I punched him. A one hit wonder’.

“His mother told him she was going to the police and he begged her not to.”

Police initially thought Mr Turnbull had simply collapsed in the street as they were no visible signs of injury.

But then Gaskin handed himself in at 6pm.

Gaskin pleaded guilty to manslaughter at his first appearance in court in September. He submitted two letters to the judge where he expressed remorse for his actions.

After the case, Detective Superintendent Neil Hunter, said: "No sentence will ever bring back the tragic and unnecessary loss of a husband and father whose life was taken from him in terrible circumstances by a reckless young man who had consumed far too much alcohol. Our thoughts remain with the family and I hope they can now begin to move on.

"Ken's death was preventable and has ruined the lives of so many people. Sadly it highlights the perils of drinking far too much alcohol and being oblivious to the consequences of your actions."

Keith Thomas, defending, said Gaskin was full of remorse.