Three thugs have been found guilty of brutally attacking a builder who later died.

David Head, 48, was stamped on and kicked in the head during a chilling attack outside his home.

He was savagely assaulted after going to see who had kicked in the front door of the block of flats where he lived.

His jaw was broken, his teeth were smashed and he was knocked out.

Mr Head died of a heart attack a month later but a court heard his death was not linked to his injuries.

At Hove Crown Court yesterday, Daniel Bate, 22, David Howat, 26, and Donna Molloy, 20, were found guilty of causing him grievous bodily harm with intent.

John Moriarty, 33, of Stonery Road, Portslade, pleaded guilty to the charge on the first day of the gang's trial.

All four now face years behind bars when they are sentenced on March 19.

Judge Charles Kemp praised the bravery of witnesses whose evidence brought Mr Head's assailants to justice.

Their actions are to be commended by the High Sheriff of Sussex at an award ceremony later this year.

He also praised the courage of Mr Head's mother, Mrs Angela Wesson, who heard graphic details of how he was attacked.

Judge Kemp told her: "You have shown commendable courage in sitting in court throughout this grizzly trial."

Bate, of Clarendon Road, Hove; Howat, of Stonery Road, Portslade; and Molloy, of Sheridan Terrace, Hove; were unanimously found guilty by the jury of ten women and two men.

During a week-long trial they heard that Mr Head was attacked on the night of November 2, 2006.

Walton Hornsby, prosecuting, said Mr Head was lying on his bed watching television at his flat in Ashton Rise, Brighton.

He went out in just his boxer shorts to investigate after he heard Moriarty smashing the glass door at the entrance to the flats.

Moriarty attacked him with a yellow plastic floor cleaning sign.

The others, who had come down from another flat, joined in repeatedly kicking and stamping on him.

Heather Brophy told the court she watched in horror from her balcony.

She said Moriarty, who was wearing a hoodie, started the attack and was joined by Bate, Howat and Molloy.

Miss Brophy said: "The three men stamped on his head in turn and then kicked him in the ribs and body. The female kicked him in the head.

"I heard the sound of him being kicked and the noise of his skull hitting the ground.

"Then the female shouted to them to stop and they ran off towards Morley Street." Flatmate Alice Haslam-Lucas added: "The man wearing a hoodie picked up a cleaning sign and began hitting Dave in the face with it.

"Within 20 seconds, Dave appeared to be unconscious. Three males began kicking him with full force along his body and to his face.

"The female was standing back at first but kicked him two or three times in the hip.

"I had to look away for a few seconds because I found it quite disturbing. It was brutal and was unprovoked."

Mr Head made a statement about the attack a few weeks before his fatal heart attack.

He told police he heard a sound behind him after he asked Moriarty why he had smashed the glass in the lobby door. He said he felt a push in the back and fell to the floor.

Mr Head had added: "All of a sudden the second male began to kick me over the head and body. The rest of the group started to assault me as well.

"I felt hard kicks to my head and body and was now in so much pain I lost consciousness.

"The next thing I remember is being put in an ambulance. I was in agony.

"I am lucky they didn't kill me. I didn't do anything to cause this to happen.

"They attacked me for no reason. It is a disgrace they kicked me to the point of unconsciousness."

Mr Head's mother welcomed the verdicts and said she would be at court to see the gang sentenced next month.

Mrs Wesson, 75, from Hove, said: "The verdicts are wonderful, exactly the right result. I can't thank the witnesses enough for having the courage to give evidence."

Detective Constable Michelle Green said: "The police very much rely on the assistance of the public.

"Without them the likes of Moriarty, Bate, Howat and Molloy would still be walking the streets instead of being behind bars where they belong."