Seven men from Kent have been sentenced to a total of 45 years for their part in a raid on the Sussex home of Julian Gardner.

The mechanic, 53, was killed after disturbing burglars at his home in Robertsbridge where he ran an agricultural and car repair business.

He was crushed between two vehicles as he tried to protect his property back in October 2010.

Four men (pictured clockwise from top left) were found guilty of manslaughter, conspiracy to commit burglary and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

Marcus Bristow, 32, of Mock Lane, Great Chart, Ashford and Terence Bristow, 41, of Chart Road, Great Chart, Ashford have both been jailed for eleven years at Lewes Crown Court.

Paul Dunn, 33, of Fryth Crescent, Cranbrook and Lee Delay, 23, of Whitegate Close, Tunbridge Wells have been sentenced to seven years each.

Meanwhile, Christopher Leek, 30, of Pear Tree Close, Cranbrook was found guilty of conspiracy to commit burglary and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice but the jury failed to reach a verdict on the charge of manslaughter. He's been sentenced to four-and-a-half years.

Oliver Payne, 25, of Sandhurst Road, Tunbridge Wells has been found not guilty of manslaughter but guilty of conspiracy to commit burglary and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice. He was jailed for three years.

While Terrence Dunn, 57, of Tanyards Estate, Sandhurst, was also found guilty of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice and was jailed for 18 months.

In a written statement Julian's mother, Molly Gardner and sister, Anna Murphy said: "Thanks to the justice system of this country those responsible for this appalling crime have now been found guilty which as far as we're concerned was the only possible outcome.

"Those criminals now convicted appear to have shown no remorse for their actions. All those present that night bear responsibility and must live with Julian's death on their conscience forever.

"They know that they will eventually be released from their sentence. However, we as Julian's family will never be released from our sorrow.

"Our Julian was above all a good and decent man who worked hard all his life. Before he had the opportunity to sit back and enjoy the results of his lifetime's work, these men who have been convicted felt they had the right to steal all that Julian had worked for but succeeded only in robbing him of his life.

"All those that loved Julian are united in the grief we feel at the loss of this special son, brother, father and friend."