A MAN involved in the killing of a market trader during an orgy of violence has been jailed for 18 years.

Jonathan Crossling, 37, was locked up after he admitted to the manslaughter of Kavant Singh as well as four charges of grievous bodily harm with intent and an aggravated burglary.

Crossling, 37, of Hillside Avenue, Grove Hill, Middlesbrough, was expected to face a trial on Monday but changed his pleas to guilty at the last minute.

The case at Newcastle Crown Court was adjourned and Crossling returned for sentencing yesterday.

Mr Singh, 41, died after plunging from an upstairs window of a house in Errol Street in Middlesbrough in August 2001.

Crossling fled the country but was tracked down to Spain, arrested and finally extradited last December.

Two other men involved in the death, Thomas Petech, 23, and George Coleman, 41, were jailed for life in March last year after being convicted of Mr Singh's murder.

Petch, of Parkhouse Farm, Dunsdale, was also convicted of causing grievous bodily harm to another man with intent, and wounding a further three.

Coleman, of Thornton Street, North Ormesby, was found guilty of two woundings and one charge of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

Mr Singh had been in a bedroom of the house when a gang including Crossling, Petch and Coleman burst in looking for what police believe was a rival in a turf war involving drugs and prostitution.

When they could not find their intended targets, they just attacked anyone who got in their way, the court was told.

Crossling pushed Mr Singh backwards through the window and he died when he hit the yard below.