THERE were emotional scenes at Teesside Crown Court today as the family of Antony Robinson saw his killer sentenced to seven years.

Mr Robinson, known as 'Anto', was punched by Michael Halliday outside the Roundel pub in Thornaby on September 17 last year.

That blow caused Anthony's head to crash against the pavement and ultimately ended his life.

Today his family said that their world had been 'ripped apart' by that one fatal punch.

Halliday, 40, of Dresser Lane, Linthorpe, was sentenced today at Teesside Crown Court to seven years - half to be served in prison and half on licence.

Inside the courtroom, Mr Robinson's loved ones were given permission to sit in the jury seats whilst Halliday's family and friends occupied the public gallery on the opposite side of the room.

The Northern Echo:

Antony Robinson's family comfort each other outside court

Jane Robinson, Antony's sister, gave an emotional statement both to the court and outside after the sentence had been passed.

Giving her statement in court, she looked across at Halliday as she expressed exasparation over his not guilty plea and the susequent lies she accused him of telling about Antony to shift the blame for the violence off himself.

Ms Robinson said: "I will never forget going to the mortuary, going to identify him, we couldn't actually process what we were doing.

"My mam has cried every day, the pain is still as fresh as the day he died."

She added: "He just went out for a drink and never came home.

"This should never have happened, the heartache we all have, we never got to say goodbye.

"No-one should ever have to open their door to the police telling them their loved one has died."

Speaking outside the court on behalf of the family, Ms Robinson said: "No sentence ever imposed will make up for the loss of Anto.

The Northern Echo:

Michael Halliday was sentenced to seven years - half to be served in prison

"And no words can express the pain and anguish that our family and friends have endured since his death.

"Our family have been cruelly forced through a trial because Michael Halliday pleaded not guilty to an offence he knew he had committed.

"He continually lied throughout the proceedings and accused Anto of being to blame for his own death.

"The whole process has been extremely distressing for the family."

She described Antony as a 'gentle giant' who always had a 'daft smile' on his face.

"The night of his death he died scared and alone and the heartbreak of not being able to say goodbye to him will torture our family forever," said Ms Robinson.