A 43-YEAR-OLD man who attacked a gay man in a park as he was walking his dogs was jailed for two-and-a-half years today.

Tony Hoare, 49, died after the attack in Charlton Park, Charlton, where he was punched to the ground by Lesley Kingshott.

The blow to his face on the evening of September 11 last year tore an artery at the base of Mr Hoare's brain which caused a fatal swelling.

On the night of the fatal attack Mr Hoare, a market researcher, had been drinking in the White Swan pub in Charlton village where he had suffered homophobic abuse.

He was later found unconscious in the park and died shortly after being taken to Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Woolwich.

Kingshott, of Maskells Court, Victoria Road, Charlton, admitted manslaughter during a brief hearing at the Old Bailey on December 20.

Sentencing him, Judge Brian Barker said: "This is a tragic case for all concerned. Tony Hoare lost his life at your hands over a senseless dispute.

"It was a dispute over dogs which was blown up out of all proportion.

"There was no need for your anger and no excuse for your violence."

Sentencing was adjourned until today to allow a victim impact statement to be prepared on behalf of Mr Hoare's family and partner.

Speaking after the case Mr Hoare's boyfriend Robert Bowen said: "Justice was not done here today, it should have been life. He will be out very soon, it's so wrong.

"What's that going to do for Tony?"

  • Video: Watch Mr Bowen give his reaction to the sentence - click here