by Keith Hunt

Two thugs who killed "a thoroughly decent lad" in a night of mindless violence in Ashford have been jailed for life.

Zion Covey, 21, will serve a minimum of 13 years and 20-year-old Gareth Powell 12 years before being considered for parole.

The drunken pair punched and kicked student Ben Neilson, 21, of Essella Road, Willesborough, outside the Fountain kebab shop in Ashford town centre on April 20.

Ben, was taken to hospital "in a terrible state" and died a week later from catastrophic and irreversible brain damage.

Covey, of Lynsted Close, Stanhope, Ashford, and Powell, 20, of Bensted, South Ashford, were convicted of murder by a 10-2 majority verdict. They had denied the charge, along with an alternative of manslaughter.

Police area commander Chris Hogben branded them "drunken, violent thugs", who took the life of a thoroughly decent lad, home from Northumbria University for the Easter holidays.

Covey and Powell, both dressed in tracksuit bottoms and casual shirts, showed no emotion when sentence was passed. Family and friends wept.

Judge Anthony Leonard QC said Covey played the leading role, while Powell backed up his friend.

"Ben went out with his friends for the evening for fun and enjoyment, during which, in my judgement, he showed no aggression and did not drink very much," he told them.

"It all came to an end when you attacked him. In contrast, you had been drinking heavily. One witness described you, Covey, as being hammered."

The judge said they were spoiling for a fight by the time they left Liquid night club in the early hours and went to the kebab shop.

Jonathan Higgs, prosecuting, said former Norton Knatchbull School pupil Ben was struck a heavy blow to the head and was believed to be unconscious by the time he hit the ground. He was then kicked by both Covey and Powell.

"Ben tried to calm you down and became a victim of your aggression and violence," said Judge Leonard. "Kicking him on the ground was not only despicable, but showed your intention to cause him serious injury that night."

Judge Leonard said Ben was in the top 10 per cent at university and had a promising career ahead of him. He will be awarded a posthumous degree.

"I am conscious no sentence I pass will make up for the loss of his life," he added.

The minimum tariff was set on the basis of an intention to cause really serious bodily harm, rather than to kill, and a lack of premeditation.

Seven months spent on remand will count towards the sentence.