A MAN has been jailed for four years after pleading guilty to manslaughter.

Charles John Butler, 25, from Bright Street in Roker, Sunderland, was sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court today.

The charged related to an incident on Sunday, December 11, last year, when police received a report of an assault outside the Albion Hotel in Victor Street, Sunderland.

Billy Linley, 33, was found with head injuries and taken to hospital in a critical condition.

On Thursday, December 22, he died in hospital.

Detective Chief Inspector Ian Bentham, said: "Our thoughts remain with Billy's family and friends who are still trying to come to terms with this tragic event.

"This assault comprised of a single blow, delivered after an argument over a game of pool, which caused the death of Billy Linley, resulting in this jail sentence today.

"It is another tragic example of how alcohol-fuelled arguments can quickly escalate, resulting in consequences no-one can predict. We would would urge people to stay in control and not let having too much to drink develop into something much worse.

"On behalf of the family and Northumbria Police can I thank all those people who helped with this enquiry."