A THUG who “walked off as if nothing had happened” after killing a dad-of-one has been jailed for nine years.

Owen Wood, 24, of Godman Road, Chadwell St Mary, followed Liam Holden, 35, after he left the Euro Lounge nightclub, Grays, before launching a brutal and sustained attack.

Wood didn't react as Judge Charles Gratwicke passed sentence - and neither did members of Mr Holden's family.

Judge Gratwicke said: "Nobody sitting through the trial could have felt anything but revulsion, anger and disgust at the way you behaved that night.

"You engaged in a violent attack, punching and kicking him when he was on the floor.

“The risk of really serious injury is obvious to one and all but such was your desire to inflict violence that you did so with tragic consequences."

Judge Gratwicke said following the attack Wood "walked off into the night as if nothing had happened."

During the two-week trial Wood said he had punched and kicked Mr Holden, but was acting in “self defence” and “never intended to kill him”.

He was found guilty of manslaughter on Friday, October 4.

His younger brother Ryan, 21, was found not guilty of murder by the jury. Neither he, nor Mr Holden's partner Mandy Patient, attended Chelmsford Crown Court for sentencing.

Just before sentencing Adam Davis, the defence QC, told the court Wood had been attending an anger management course to jeers from Mr Holden's family.

Mr Holden had been in the Euro Lounge with Miss Patient, his partner of 15 years, but they had left after a toilet door had been kicked-in whilst Miss Patient was using it. Mr Holden had confronted the owner of the club, Sonny Miller, before leaving with his partner and heading home.

Mr Holden had returned to the club alone, seconds after leaving, but soon returned to Miss Patient, who was waiting for him by the roundabout at Morrisons in nearby London Road.

Defence lawyers said Mr Holden had been spoiling for a fight.

Wood has previous convictions for attacking a man in 2006 and assaulting another man with a machete in 2007, when he was jailed in the high-security Belmarsh Prison.

Mr Holden died of brain damage.

Judge Gratwicke summed up: "As a result of your actions Mandy Patient lost a beloved partner and a child lost a father. That will live with them for the rest of their lives.

"Mrs Holden has lost a son. That will live with her forever."

The attack happened in the early hours of Sunday, March 10.