A FORMER boxer convicted of killing a man outside a Wearside pub has been released from prison.

Ernie Bewick was jailed for six years, for manslaughter, after admitting killing Tony Waters.

Mr Waters, 44, was stamped and kicked to death outside the Eastender pub, High Street East, Sunderland, in December 1997.

A convicted drug smuggler, he suffered brain damage, a crushed voice box and had the bones in his face shattered during the attack, which happened following a row in the pub.

Bewick, 46, was granted an early Christmas release from prison after serving half his sentence, including a year on remand in jail while awaiting trial.

He was a familiar sight in Sunderland, where he supplied doormen for pubs and clubs in the city.

He boasted a tough anti-drugs policy, and had a reputation as being tough, but fair