A mother has spoken of  her heartbreak as Mark Robinson's killer is locked up for ten years.

Mark Robinson died more than a year after he suffered a brutal beating at the hands of Raymond Whincup over a row about a £20 debt.

The 40-year-old suffered catastrophic head injuries when he was knocked unconscious while he was staying in a friend’s flat in Redcar.

Whincup was heavily intoxicated when he attacked Mr Robinson in the early hours of July 28, 2020, Teesside Crown Court heard.

Read more: Man admits manslaughter of Mark Robinson midway through murder trial

Today, he was jailed for ten years after admitting the manslaughter of his victim midway through his murder trial.

The Northern Echo: Mark RobinsonMark Robinson (Image: Cleveland Police)

Speaking after the hearing, Mr Robinson’s family said: “Regardless of the indictment we all know that had it not been for the medical treatment Mark received on 28th July 2020, he would have died that morning in Station Road having suffered traumatic brain injury because of a vicious, sustained and unprovoked assault from Raymond Whincup.

“I struggle to put into words how this has devastated our family. Mark was so much more than a good, decent man who deserved to live and enjoy his life. As a family we will never forget him, we will celebrate his life and we will always love him and miss him so very much.

“No matter what sentence Raymond Whincup received, as a family we serve a life sentence without Mark.”

A medical expert told jurors how MR Robinson had suffered two fractures to his jaw, two fractures to bones in his spinal column and three broken ribs.

He was visiting Mr Gregory at his flat when Whincup and Lewis Skelton turned up before the three of them headed up the accused’s upstairs flat to spend their time drinking.

But Whincup left to go downstairs and when Mr Gregory returned to his downstairs flat, he found Mr Robinson lying injured on the floor.

The Northern Echo: Raymond WhincupRaymond Whincup (Image: Cleveland Police)

He said that Whincup was standing over his friend and he said: “I knocked him out. He’s not hard. He’s not a kick-boxer.”

Another witness Lewis Skelton, who has since died, told his mother that Whincup had ‘knocked out’ Mr Robinson before they fled the scene together.

Mr Robinson never fully recovered from his injuries and died in August 2021.

Senior Investigating Officer, Detective Superintendent Helen Barker said: “First and foremost my thoughts remain with all Mark’s family as they continue to live with the devastating impact of losing their beloved son, brother and uncle.

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“I’d also like to pay tribute to their dignity in the most difficult of circumstances – throughout the investigation and the entire court process.

“This was a lengthy and very complex investigation however the dedicated enquiry team never lost sight of their aim of achieving justice for Mark.

“Nothing can bring Mark back, but I hope today’s result brings a degree of comfort to his family and I wish them well for the future.”