Seven years for single punch killer after The Roundel pub clash

Michael Halliday delivered the fatal punch when the pair squared up outside a pub after they clashed during a night out.

The long-time friends became embroiled in a dispute after Antony Robinson blew all of his money on the slot machines in The Roundel pub in Thornaby last September.

On Monday jurors returned a verdict of guilty to a charge of manslaughter after a week-long trial and today Halliday was given a seven year sentence - half of which will be served in prison, with the remainder on licence.

Mr Robinson's sister, Jane Robinson, gave an emotional statement on behalf of the family in which she said their world had been 'ripped apart' by his death.  

Sentencing at Teesside Crown Court, Judge Mrs Justice Lambert told Halliday that the jury had not been fooled by his account of Mr Robinson as being an 'alcoholic sponger' who was only good as a drinking companion.

She added: "No one, even someone in your predicament, would describe a true friend in this way. 

"Your description of Mr Robinson flies in the face of the person described to me today by his sister Jane. 

"Anto, as she called him, was a fun-loving family man with a love of life. 

"His family loved him, and he doubtless loved them. 

"His death has ripped his family apart."

Judge Lambert said Mr Robinson lost his life due to 'drink fuelled violence' inflicted by Halliday.

She said that his previous historic convictions for disorder were an aggravating feature and should have served as a warning that he behaved badly when drunk.

The violence took place at the Roundel pub in Thornaby Picture: Google

Judge Lambert said she took into account that the punch was not planned or premeditated, but added that it was not an isolated blow and instead was the continuation of violence against Mr Robinson which began when he was knocked off his bar stool by Halliday.

Speaking about the fatal blow, Judge Lambert said: "You made no attempt to assist Mr Robinson even though you must have known that you had inflicted a serious injury: you were told by your son that Mr Robinson was in a bad way. 

"You went home anyway, stopping for chips along the way."

Speaking outside court, Detective Constable Jayne Bryan of Cleveland Police said the force welcomed the sentence given to Halliday.

She described the fatal punch as 'an act of mindless violence', adding: "I hope today's sentence raises awareness of the consequences of losing control as a result of drinking alcohol.

"Antony Robinson's life was taken away in a split second as the result of one punch, leaving his family devastated for the rest of their lives."