The daughter of a man who died after a single punch outside a pub says she hopes his killer "knows what he has taken away" from her family this Christmas.

Andrew 'Kev' Looseley, 47, passed away five days after being attacked outside the Hare and Hounds pub in Maidstone in August.

The father-of-six, from Chatham, was taken to King's College Hospital following the late night assault in Lower Boxley Road.

Last week, Ashford teenager John Gibbs admitted killing the father when he appeared at Maidstone Crown Court.

Gibbs, 18, of Nickley Wood, is facing a long prison sentence for the attack.

Following Gibbs' guilty plea to manslaughter, Mr Looseley's daughter Bethany said: "It's still fresh and it isn't easy to hear. It's made me feel all sorts of emotions.

"I'm without a dad at this time of year and it hurts knowing he won't be around to see me on Christmas or even receive a phone call from him wishing me a Merry Christmas.

"I'm proud to call him my mate..."

"I hope John knows what he has taken away from me and my family. No one should be without a parent let alone have their parent taken away from them so suddenly."

Sentencing has been adjourned until February 17 for the preparation of a probation report which will also consider what danger Gibbs could pose in the future.

Judge Philip Statman told Mr Looseley's family that they will be accompanied by a police liaison officer at the next hearing.

He then remanded Gibbs into custody, telling him to expect a sentence of "substantial imprisonment".

A police cordon was put in place outside the pub for days while officers investigated the circumstances.

Following Mr Looseley's death, tributes poured in for the "gentle giant".

Friends and family also gathered outside the Maidstone pub where he was drinking before the assault for a memorial where they let off lanterns.

Close friend Jay Ryan visited his pool team pal in hospital multiple times following the incident.

He described Mr Looseley as a "kind-hearted person with a lively personality".

Mr Ryan added: "He had always been the person on our right-hand side around the pool table saying 'seriously' in his jokey way when we missed an easy shot, and always had a smile on his face.

"I'm proud to call him my mate. Since the incident life has been quiet and just doesn't feel right."

The attack was witnessed by Hare and Hounds landlord Matthew Bryant and wife Caroline Bryant who described hearing a sickening sound as the victim hit the floor.

Mrs Bryant, who was behind the bar, said: "It was a nice Saturday evening. There were girls and lads round the back playing pool, having fun. The evening just went on happily until suddenly it didn't.

"It was a nice happy evening that turned into a complete disaster."

Following the attack, Mr Bryant, 51, who has been at the Hare and Hounds since 2015 and has been a pub landlord for 23 years, immediately gave first aid, putting Mr Looseley in the recovery position.

Paramedics arrived within five minutes and worked on the Chatham man for 30 minutes at the roadside, before he was taken first to Maidstone Hospital and then transferred to a London hospital.