A MAN who killed his mother’s boyfriend after an argument at a family birthday party was yesterday jailed for five years.

The attacker’s cousin was also jailed for four-and-a-half years for the manslaughter of father-of-two Robert Aunger.

Dean Blenkinsopp, 21, and David Hughes, 29, admitted the charge at an earlier hearing at Teesside Crown Court.

Mr Aunger, 45, was beaten up outside his home in Tees Crescent, Spennymoor, County Durham, on July 15, last year.

He was carried back into the house unconscious before police and paramedics tried to resuscitate him.

The court heard yesterday that Mr Aunger suffered two heart attacks before he reached hospital, where he was pronounced brain-dead.

Mark Giuliani, prosecuting, told the court he suffered a rupture to a blood vessel that caused bleeding to the brain.

Blenkinsopp followed Mr Aunger out of the house after he heard he had slapped his mother, Karen Davies, at the party.

Blenkinsopp was seen by witnesses to repeatedly punch Mr Aunger, while Hughes kicked him when he was on the ground.

The court heard that Hughes originally followed the pair to stop trouble, and shoved Blenkinsopp away as he launched his attack.

Jamie Hill QC, for Hughes, of Lilburn Crescent, Newton Aycliffe, described his involvement as a moment of madness.

He said: “He does wish me to apologise to Mr Aunger’s family.

“He apologises for his actions, the consequences of which were unintended and unintentional.”

Martin Bethel QC, said of his client Blenkinsopp, a former kennel worker of Tees Crescent: “His remorse is deep. It is a matter which will live in his consciousness. To his eternal regret, he lost his temper.”

The court heard that Mr Aunger had argued with other party guests about making a mess in the bathroom and making too much noise. He then rowed with Ms Davies and struck her before Hughes and another man intervened.

Mr Aunger had used violence towards his partner in the past, and was given an eight-year jail sentence in 1995 for robbery.

The court was told that Hughes followed out slightlybuilt Blenkinsopp because he was worried about Mr Aunger’s past.

Mr Aunger’s mother told the court of her heartache at her son’s death.