The killer of a Mitcham dad, who died during a row over a child’s football, has lost an appeal for his sentence to be reduced.

Gary Kelly, 39, will serve the 11-year sentence handed down to him at the Old Bailey last January after he was found guilty of stabbing David Martin, 37, through the heart with a samurai sword in January 2008.

Kelly was convicted of manslaughter after defence lawyers successfully convinced a jury he had been provoked into the attack.

The court heard how Mr Martin, of Ravensbury Grove, arrived at his neighbour’s house brandishing a large stick behind his back.

Moments later Kelly was alleged to have confronted Mr Martin, wielding a snooker cue and samurai sword, shouting: “If he wants a fight I’ll give him a fight.”

Mr Martin, who was beaten and stabbed, died soon after receiving an eight inch stab wound to his heart.

The jury was told how one witness was reduced to the point of sickness as they heard the sound of blows that continued to rain down on Mr Martin, even after he had fallen to the floor.

Police and an air ambulance rushed to Rutter Gardens at 7.20pm but “aggressive efforts” by doctors to revive Mr Martin were unsuccessful.

Kelly handed himself in to police the next day, breaking into tears as he confessed to killing Mr Martin.