A VULNERABLE man jailed for his part in the killing of a fellow drinker yesterday had his sentence cut to 18 months - so he can have a home to go to when he leaves prison.

Mr Justice Simon, showed mercy on Paul Darch after hearing a longer sentence would result in the City of York Council seeking his eviction over rent arrears.

Darch, of Horsman Avenue, York, who was convicted of 50-year-old Peter Robinson's manslaughter on November 8, is now due for release before Christmas.

The judge said Darch, 47, suffers from considerable learning difficulties and his flat was an important and stable focus for him.

Darch, who was cleared by a Leeds Crown Court jury of murdering Mr Robinson, was initially handed a two-year term, but the judge agreed to "vary" that to 18 months.

After taking into account time spent on remand, he is expected to be released next month.

His counsel, Paul Williams, said that if Darch's release were delayed until March next year - as it would have been had the two-year sentence stood - he would have built up £750 in rent arrears, which would inevitably result in eviction by the city council.

Two other men, John Wood, 39, and Wilfred Barlow, 44, were both found guilty of murdering Mr Robinson in February this year and were each jailed for life.

On February 28, Darch had been drinking with Barlow and Wood, in Wood's flat in Trent House, Margaret Street, York, when there was a discussion about an alleged indecent approach by Mr Robinson to Wood's girlfriend, Karen Bulmer. When Mr Robinson arrived later, the jury heard he received at least 19 kicks and punches to his face, head and neck.

The prosecution accepted Darch's participation was secondary and that he knew something was going to happen.