The final suspect in the murder of a father who was bludgeoned to death with baseball bats by a teenage gang has been convicted of manslaughter.

Gary Rae was attacked by a gang of six teenagers outside his flat in High Street, Hailsham, on May 29 last year.

Three of them have already been found guilty of murder and two were cleared of murder by the jury at Hove Crown Court.

Jason Jackson, 18, of Albert Road, Polegate, was the only suspect to be convicted of manslaughter.

Police said 40-year-old father-of-two Mr Rae was "lured" outside by the gang.

Ring leader William Devall, 19, wrongly thought his on-off girlfriend was sleeping with Mr Rae and rounded up other teenagers to attack him.

During the ten-week trial the jury of five men and seven women heard how Devall had spoken earlier of his desire to attack Mr Rae in a dispute over 18-year-old Amy Heaseman.

Mr Rae, who was divorced, heard banging on his door on May 29 while he was inside the flat watching a film with Miss Heaseman and a female friend.

He opened the door and was set upon by the gang who continued their attack with baseball bats when he fell to the ground. Gary died later that evening at Eastbourne District General Hospital.

Following the attack, Devall was said to have been "pumped up" and on an "adrenalin rush".

Sussex Police commended the prosecution witnesses. DCI Steve Johnson said: "This was a sickening preplanned attack on Mr Rae who was lured from the safety of his home.

"Clearly Mr Devall was the main instigator but all those convicted must accept the blame as they all took part.

"This case illustrates that vulnerable and intimidated witnesses will be given the necessary support to give evidence."

Gary Rae's sister Karen Johnson, 40, said: "Our heartfelt thanks go out to the prosecution witnesses who have gone through a traumatic time and shown great courage in coming forward.

"Gary was set upon and brutally murdered by a gang of teenage thugs. We wish to remember him as a loving father, son, and brother."

Judge Anthony Scott-Gall ordered a verdict of not guilty to be returned on the murder charge faced by Jackson. Convicted of murder were William Devall, 19, and Luke Jones, 18, both of Meadow Road, Hailsham, and Ahmet Gordon, 16, of Swan Road, Hailsham.

Shane Challice, 19, of South Road, Hailsham, and a 17-year-old, who cannot be named, were cleared of murder.

Sentencing will take place on June 2 at Lewes Crown Court.