The parents of a clubber who died after a New Year assault said they hoped his killer would always be watched by the authorities.

Ricky Brown, 25, was punched once in the face by Chancey Cummings at the Ocean Rooms, in Morley Street, Brighton, in the early hours of January 1. He hit his head on the ground and suffered a major brain injury.

He died four days later in hospital.

Yesterday, Cummings, 26, of no fixed abode, was sentenced to a minimum of four years in prison after pleading guilty to manslaughter at a previous hearing.

Speaking outside Lewes Crown Court, Mr Brown’s father Paul said he hoped Cummings – who has a string of previous convictions - would not be able to hurt anyone else in future.

The statement on behalf of Mr Brown parents Paul and Julie Brown and his brothers Lee and Danny, read: “Nothing will ever replace our Rick and nothing will ever bring him back.

“No result would have pleased anyone today, however we got the best we could have expected .

“Nothing can fulfil what has been lost but the only comfort is the sentence given. Chancey will always be watched and we can hope this means he can never do this to another person and no one else has to go through what we have all been through.”