A KILLER whose victim died more than 18 months after he was assaulted was jailed for three years yesterday thanks to major changes in the law.

Father-of-two Keith Stephenson, 21, was spared jail in October 2002 when he pleaded guilty to grievous bodily harm after he hit Charles Ratcliffe, 38, of Gateshead, on the head with a length of wood.

At the time of the original sentencing hearing at Newcastle Crown Court, prosecutors were unaware Mr Ratcliffe, who suffered a fractured skull and blood clot on the brain in the attack, had developed epilepsy as a result of his injuries.

He died during a fit and was found dead in bed on February 11 last year.

Because of recent reforms in the law, which scrapped the "double jeopardy rule", police were able to re-open the case and charge Stephenson, of Whinbrook, Leam Lane Estate, Gateshead, with manslaughter.

Judge John Milford said yesterday: "He was originally sentenced on the basis the victim had made a good recovery."

Stephenson was arrested on suspicion of murder and eventually charged with manslaughter, to which he pleaded guilty.

Paul Sloan, for Stephenson, told the court how Stephenson has had an unhappy background, but is now working and the father of two young children.

Mr Sloan said the attack was an impulsive and ill-considered reaction, for which Stephenson had already been punished by the courts.

The judge told Stephenson: "I am satisfied that this offence is so serious no sentence other than a custodial sentence can be justified."

The year-and-a-day rule was changed in 1996 following a three-year campaign by The Northern Echo, launched after the death of Michael Gibson 15 months after he fell into a coma when he was punched during a night out in Darlington.

The campaign, launched with Michael's mother, Pat, saw reporters give 6,000 letters of support from readers to the Law Commission.

The law was changed in February 1996.