TWO thugs who carried out an orgy of violence and murdered a man in an "underworld feud" must spend a combined total of at least 34 years behind bars.

In March 2002, George Coleman, 46, and Thomas Petch, 27, were both jailed for life at Teesside Crown Court for the murder of Kalvant Singh and a number of other offences.

At London's High Court yesterday, their tariffs - the minimum number of years they must spend behind bars before being considered for parole - were set by Mr Justice Openshaw.

Coleman, of Thornton Street, North Ormesby, was given a 14-year tariff while Petch, of no fixed address, received a 20-year minimum term.

When the time they spent on remand is taken into account, Coleman can apply for parole in 2015, while Petch can seek his freedom in 2021.

However, they will only be released if they can convince the Parole Board they are no longer a danger to the public - and even then they will be freed on perpetual life licence and face recall to jail if they step out of line.

The court was told market trader Mr Singh was killed in August 2001 when Petch and Coleman were recruited to murder a man alleged to have stolen drugs from prostitutes.

Mr Singh was not the alleged thief, but was killed at a property in Errol Street, Middlesbrough, on August 5, after he was found in bed with a prostitute. He was thrown through a window and landed in a concrete yard below.

Coleman was the getaway driver, while Petch entered the house and was seen attacking a second man, ramming his head through a glass fish tank.

Further attacks took place at Southfield Road, Middlesborough - including one with a Samurai sword - and on August 7 Petch was part of a group who beat up another man, although Coleman wasn't involved.

Both Petch and Coleman complained they received much longer sentences than Jonathan Crossling, the man who they claimed was behind the plot but who was eventually only convicted of manslaughter.

However, Mr Justice Openshaw said there was "nothing in the point".

Refusing to reduce the tariffs below 14 and 20 years, he said that Petch had a previous conviction for wounding, had a "violent disposition" and had carried out an "underworld feud".

Coleman was less culpable, being only the driver, but still played a "significant and important" role in the planning process of the murder of Mr Singh and other attacks on August 5.