A MAN has been jailed for eight years for killing a stranger in a Dartford kebab shop fight.

Eddy Ives, 29, was found guilty of the manslaughter of Ben Mahoney after going "beserk" at the House on the Hill takeaway in East Hill on April 12.

Mr Mahoney, 30, died from a brain hemorrhage after a rupture to an artery in his neck caused a sharp twisting motion resulting from any one of a series of blows to his head, face and neck.

He got into a fight with Ives at around 11.25pm after trying to have a joke with the defendant which soon turned sour.

Takeaway manager Cafir Zorlu told Maidstone Crown Court how Mr Mahoney was left "dead standing up" under the impact of repeated and powerful punches from Ives

Police caught up with Mr Mahoney's killer later the same night at an address in St Ronan’s View, Dartford, where he was found hiding underneath a bed with two sleeping children in it. 

He had been drinking there earlier in the night with friend Jamie Gardner who was also arrested but later released without charge. 

He asked officers to "scratch his face" before dropping to the floor and rubbing it on the pavement to make it appear he had been hurt in the fight

Ives handed his jacket to Mr Gardner in the takeaway before attacking Mr Mahoney with both fists after his victim had thrown two opening punches which were ineffective. 

Mr Gardner managed to pull Ives off Mr Mahoney and CCTV footage showed him being momentarily pushed from the shop before he lunged back in and chased his victim behind the serving counter where he punched him repeatedly in the head and face. 

News Shopper: Police outside the House on the Hill.

Police at the scene following the fatal fight. 

Mr Mahoney was seen to fall to the floor while Ives continued to hit him and he eventually lost consciousness after attempting to get to his feet.

Ives demanded £90 compensation from the kebab store staff after a sleeve of his jumper was torn during the assault as well as a refund on the doner kebab and burger he ordered.

The frightened staff gave him his money back for the food and £30 cash before Ives picked up a can of Stella Artois lager he had brought with him and walked out with Mr Gardner following carrying his jacket.

Emergency services were called but Mr Mahoney could not be revived and was pronounced dead at the scene. 

Ives claimed he acted in self defence and was "fighting for his life" after Mr Mahoney attacked him first. 

Investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Paul Fotheringham said: "This started off as a physical scuffle and descended into a vicious and sustained beating.

"By the end of the fight Mr Mahoney was no longer responding and was trying to protect his head with his hands but Ives showed no mercy.

"Ives has a history of violence and acting on impulse.  I welcome today's verdict.

"The fight lasted minutes and was fuelled by alcohol and anger but that brief period left Mr Mahoney's friends and family bereft.

"They must now try to move forward with their lives without Ben and I know I speak for the entire force when I say that our thoughts are with them today."

News Shopper: Ben Mahoney died after an incident in The House on the Hill takeaway on April 12.

Ben Mahoney died after Ives beat him to death in The House on the Hill takeaway on April 12.

Mr Mahoney’s mother Barbara released a statement paying tribute to the keen West Ham fan.

She said: "Since April 13 this year, when Ben was taken from us, our family and friend’s lives have completely changed as we have lost an important person.  Ben will never be out of our thoughts.

"Personally for me I have lost a loving son and friend whom I cherished.  He was always there for me, even more so since he and his brother lost their Dad.

"This has left me heartbroken.  I will never get over this, but we will as a family learn to live with this and cherish our memories of Ben.

"Ben was always happy and always smiling.  This is how everyone remembers him.

"The sentence that the person responsible receives will never be enough for the loss of my son."