An amateur footballer who killed a rival Brentford fan with a single blow was today jailed for 28 months.

Stephen Ritchie, 43, was "utterly defenceless" when he was attacked after an ill-tempered match between two rival teams, the Old Bailey heard.

Darren Forwood, 21, hit him from behind so hard that his head twisted round and ruptured his arteries as he stumbled and fell to the ground. Forwood, of West Drayton, west London, admitted manslaughter at a hearing last month.

Judge Jeremy Roberts said: "This arose out of a football match which had degenerated into aggression and violence on both sides, which spilled over from the pitch and off the pitch. There is too much of this kind of violence around at the moment and it has to be made clear that people who behave in that way will receive severe sentences."

The mother, partner, brother and daughter of the victim, who was from Brentford, west London, wept in court as Forwood was sentenced.

Timothy Cray, prosecuting, said: "He clearly was a much-loved and well-liked man and the loss to his family, all of whom are in court, is immeasurable."