THE family of a father-of-seven who was kicked to death outside a pub in Accrington today blasted the sentence handed down to his killer as "pathetic".

And the detective who led the investigation into the death of Ray Hampson hit out at people who witnessed the incident, but refused to give statements to the police.

Steven Taylor, 24, of Aitken Street, Accrington, was jailed for five years at Preston Crown Court after admitting the manslaughter of part-time doorman Mr Hampson.

Taylor had initially been charged with murder together with Brandon Hayhurst, 23, of Whalley Road, Accrington.

But Mr Hayhurst walked free from court after the judge directed the jury to acquit him. He discharged the jury and then agreed to have the charge of murder read again to Taylor, who denied murder, but admitted manslaughter.

Mr Hampson died from a brain haemorrhage after he was beaten as he lay on the ground outside the Bees' Knees on December 13, 1997.

Charles Garside, QC, had told the jury how Mr Hampson was kicked by two men, one of whom was Taylor.

A witness said she saw Hayhurst doing all he could to help Mr Hampson who was choking and making a gurgling noise.

He said Taylor and Hayhurst had both been out on a funeral wake on the night of the death.

David Turner QC, defending Taylor, said he had "acted courageously" by intervening to assist a man being chased by the deceased. He said: "Taylor had no weapon but he was taking on an off-duty doorman who was holding a bottle. He said: "Taylor was entitled to use considerable force and he did. He punched and kicked, once with a knee to the head."

Mr Garside said there was no evidence that Hampson had hurt anybody on the night, except perhaps Taylor.

Sentencing Taylor to five years in prison, Judge Reginald Lockett told him: "It seems you originally went to the assistance of another person who had been threatened by the deceased. But what you did went well over the top."

Mr Hampson's sister, Susan Martin, said after the hearing: "Justice has not been done. The defence made out that Taylor was an angel, but if he was a respectable man he would have simply told Ray to calm down. Ray never hit anybody on the night he died."

Christine Quelch, also Mr Hampson's sister, said: "They made a big thing of Ray being a doorman and said he was a bully, but he was only 5ft 6in and weighed eight stone. He wasn't big enough to bully anybody.

"Five years is pathetic - Taylor's life is still before him. He will be out in a few years, but what about Ray? It's not just one life that has been ruined, it is a whole family." After his acquittal Mr Hayhurst kissed his girlfriend Nicola Robinson and said: "I'm pleased it's all over. I never should have been charged in the first place."

Unemployed Mr Hayhurst, who left the court with his family and friends, said: "I was only trying to help the guy and the whole thing has caused me a lot of stress."

Earlier this week a witness told the jury she saw Hayhurst doing all he could to help Mr Hampson, who was choking and making a gurgling noise as he lay on the ground.

After the hearing, Acting Detective Inspector Joe Kellett said: "I am extremely disappointed at the way some people who witnessed the fight failed to assist the investigation by providing statements.

"It is sad that a man can be punched and kicked to death on the streets of Accrington and people haven't enough public spirit to stand up and be counted."

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