GRIEVING parents of a teenager killed in an unprovoked street attack want a stiffer sentence for his killer.

Paul Smith, 18, died after a punch to his face ruptured an artery in his neck, in his home village of Thornley, east Durham, on September 8.

He was hit when he stepped in to help brother Stephen, who came under attack for no apparent reason, as they left Thornley Catholic Club.

The man who carried out both assaults, 28-year-old John William Norman, of no fixed abode, but formerly of Barnes Road, Murton, was initially charged with murder.

But he was jailed for five years by Judge Peter Fox QC, at Teesside Crown Court last Friday, after the prosecution accepted his plea of guilty to manslaughter.

He also admitted assaulting 23-year-old Stephen, causing actual bodily harm, plus two further offences of common assault and one of affray, dating from July last year.

The court heard that Norman, who has four previous convictions for violence, was "aggressive and paranoid" having taken valium and Ecstasy tablets, on top of drink.

Mr Smith's parents, Anne and Eddie Durkin, said they were disgusted by the sentence.

"I believe the system has let us down. The police were great, but the court system let us down," said Mrs Durkin. "He'll be out in four years and will still be a young man, but Paul won't even be here."

She said villagers were equally annoyed, and were considering organising a petition calling for a longer sentence for Norman.

Mr Smith was about to start a course at East Durham and Houghall Community College.