The heartbroken family of murdered Seph Lawrance spoke of their disappointment after the men who killed him were sentenced to a minimum of 12 years in jail.

Mr Lawrance, 22, was kicked to death as he walked through Goffs Park, Crawley, to visit a friend on the night of January 7.

Andrew Goss, 24, and Aadeel Virani, 21, were convicted of his murder on Tuesday after a three-week trial at Lewes Crown Court.

The two men, who both blamed each other for the violence, appeared in court again yesterday for sentence.

Judge Anthony Scott-Gall jailed them both for life and recommended they serve a minimum of 12 years behind bars before they are considered for release on parole.

Mr Lawrance's grieving mother, Alison Foxley, who had sat through every day of the trial, walked out of the court as sentence was passed.

His father, Bernard Lawrance, said afterwards: "The criminal justice system has let us down.

"Those men will be middle-aged when they get out but my son will never see middle age."

The judge told the two men they had savagely attacked a kind and gentle man.

Detectives believe Mr Lawrance, who did not smoke, was brutally assaulted after he refused to give a cigarette to the two drunken men, who were pestering people in the park.

They had spent the day drinking stolen lager and police believe they were hanging around the park in the dark, intending to rob a passer-by.

Judge Scott-Gall said: "In my judgement, neither of you have shown any real remorse for what you have done.

"You launched a savage attack on a thoroughly decent, gentle and law-abiding young man who did no more than stand up to your drunken demands he give you a cigarette.

"It is grotesque the penalty he paid is to be knocked to the ground and stamped to death. His life was brutally ended in a purposeless and indefensible manner."

Graham Trembath, QC, defending Virani, said: "The root of evil here was excessive drinking."

He read out part of a letter from Virani which stated: "I wish I could go back and change the past but I cannot. I cannot stress how sorry I am."

Nicholas Dean, QC, defending Goss, said he had expressed regret and remorse. He said: "He poses no danger to society when he is released."

Mr Lawrance, of Leopold Road, Crawley, who worked for Costa Coffee at Gatwick, was described in court as a shy and peaceful man who hoped to make a future career in a caring profession.

He belonged to an organisation dedicated to carrying out good deeds to others on a Friday - it was on a Friday he was murdered.

Goss, of Monarch Close, Crawley, and Virani, of Jewel Walk, Crawley, both denied murder and robbing Mr Lawrance of his mobile phone. They were convicted of murder but cleared of robbery.