A man who attacked an elderly motorist who died of a heart attack soon afterwards has been freed after his jail sentence was cut.

Mark Heightley, of The Crestway, Hollingdean, Brighton, pleaded guilty at Lewes Crown Court in July to affray and was jailed for two years.

He was acquitted of the manslaughter of 75-year-old George Osborne, of Bursted Close, Hollingdean, Brighton, who died of a heart attack after a fight with 28-year-old Heightley.

Three Court of Appeal judges ruled Heightley's sentence was too long despite the serious nature of the incident and cut it to 15 months.

The ruling means he will be released.

Lord Justice Mance, sitting with Mr Justice Sachs and Sir Ian Kennedy, said he had no doubt two years was manifestly excessive.

The judge added he had taken into consideration Heightley's bad criminal record, the fact the offence was motoring- related and the victim's advanced years.

He told the court the affray happened on May 5, 2002, when Mr Osborne was driving in Hollingdean.

Heightley was walking along the pavement with a friend and his daughter when Mr Osborne drove past.

Lord Justice Mance said Heightley felt the pensioner had driven too close to him and jumped into the road, banging on the bonnet of Mr Osborne's car.

He drove off but stopped close by and returned to remonstrate with Heightley.

A scuffle ensued and the judge said the eye-witness evidence suggested blows were exchanged before Heightley's punches forced Mr Osborne back into his car.

The elderly man, who had a history of coronary problems, then drove off but suffered a fatal heart attack before his car sped through a junction and crashed into a telephone box.

Lord Justice Mance added that Mr Osborne suffered an injury to his left ear during the affray, but a lack of grazes on his knuckles suggested none of the punches he threw made contact with Heightley.

Describing the attack as "uncontrolled and violent", the judge said Heightley had a bad criminal record, including a conviction for a similar offence as well as others for burglary and theft