A convicted killer has had two years eight months added to his sentence for trying to nobble witnesses at his trial.

Eddy Ives was jailed for eight years in September last year for the manslaughter of Ben Mahoney, 30, during an attack at a Dartford kebab shop.

Ives, 29, admitted perverting the course of justice. Neil Sookoo and his partner Thereza George, of Hampton Crescent, Gravesend, denied the charge but were convicted in December.

Sookoo, 37, was sentenced to four years with four months consecutive for possessing cannabis with intent to supply and mother-of-six George, 42, to 18 months.

Ives’ sister Meranda Eccleston, 35, of St Gregory’s Crescent, Gravesend, was acquitted of the charge.

Former boxer Ives killed Mr Mahoney at the House on the Hill takeaway in East Hill, Dartford, on April 12 last year.

Maidstone Crown Court heard he was on remand in Lewes Prison when he hatched the plot.

He passed on a list of witnesses to George and Sookoo, who made a menacing call to kebab shop owner Cafir Zorlu under the guise of friendliness.

“In reality, all the witnesses at that kebab shop were in your sights to be interfered with,” Judge Martin Joy told Ives.

“The intention was that he would not give evidence, or would give untrue evidence. It caused him to feel menaced and threatened.

“He was told to lie and change his witness statement, and if he didn’t do so he was told the Ives family were not nice people and would pay him a visit. He was told Ives was a nasty piece of work.”

Mr Zorlu was given special police protection and panic equipment was installed.

He was concerned about repercussions when Ives was released. With a great deal of courage, he gave evidence, said the judge.

He told the three: “This sort of offence undermines the very system of criminal justice. It strikes at the very heart of criminal justice. Each of you played a critical role.”

“In reality, all the witnesses at that kebab shop were in your sights to be interfered with" - Judge Martin Joy to Ives

Sookoo, he said, had an appalling list of convictions, adding: “You have lived a disgraceful life.”

Judge Joy reduced George’s sentence after hearing three of her children had special needs and 12 health care professionals were currently engaged with the family.

Her lawyer, Paul Walker, said the children would be taken into care and she would lose her home if sent to prison.