Teenager detained over assault that led to young soldier's death

John Flannigan, 17, punched 19-year-old Andrew Gibson in the back of the head during a drunken nightclub attack in Darlington, County Durham.

Teesside Crown Court was shown CCTV footage of Flannigan lashing out with his fist and Mr Gibson falling to the ground.

He hit his head on the dance floor of the Escapade nightclub, causing fatal injuries.

Mr Gibson, from Cumbernauld, Glasgow, was based at Catterick Garrison in North Yorkshire, and was due to return home for Christmas.

The soldier was being posted to Afghanistan in the new year with his regiment and friends said he was "very happy and looking forward" to going.

Mr Gibson, who had joined the Army after leaving school, had gone out with friends on December 11 for a last night out before heading home to his family.

Rachel Masters, prosecuting, said: "No blame is attached to Mr Gibson and there was no suggestion of self defence.

"A witness saw the defendant punch Andrew Gibson to the back of the head. Andrew Gibson fell down to the floor and his head is described as bouncing off the floor with his hands round by his side."

Mr Gibson was taken to the James Cook Memorial Hospital, in Middlesbrough, by ambulance, but died from head injuries on December 17.

Flannigan told police that he punched Mr Gibson after he had hit him.

He said: "That's him that's hit me, so I hit him."

Asked by detectives whether it was "payback", Flannigan replied: "Yeah, that's what I thought."

Flannigan, of Geneva Road, Darlington, pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to manslaughter.

Nicholas de la Poer, defending, said that Flannigan had been the victim of an unprovoked assault minutes earlier and struck out at the man he thought responsible.

Speaking after the sentencing, Detective Superintendent Neil Malkin, of Durham Police, said: "Andrew Gibson was a young soldier enjoying an evening of relaxation before starting a tour of duty in Afghanistan.

"It is an enduring tragedy that a single, thoughtless act cost him his life. His family have lost a loving son and the country has lost a promising soldier. His death should serve as a strong warning to others about the dangers of engaging in violent behaviour."

in a statement released after the hearing, his parents Freddy and Linda Gibson said: "The sentence delivered today is definitely not enough. Andrew was a loving son who would do anything for anybody."