A TEENAGE killer has been sentenced to seven years behind bars for his part in the killing of a man in his own home.

Liam Smith, 18, showed no emotion as he was sentenced at Chelmsford Crown Court for the manslaughter of Pitsea man Simon Goddard, 32.

Smith's family gasped and sobbed as he was told he must serve at least half of the seven-year sentence before being considered for parole. Smith, of Walthams Place, Pitsea, was found guilty of the manslaughter of Simon Goddard last month, although he was originally tried for murder along with three others.

Andrew Mann, of Chalvedon Avenue, Pitsea, was convicted of murder and is now serving a minimum 14 years of his life sentence. Two other 18-year-old men were acquitted of all charges.

Smith's QC Elizabeth Marsh told yesterday's sentence hearing how Smith was sorry for his actions.

She said: "He is a young man full of remorse for Simon Goddard and the family of Simon Goddard.

"He is fully prepared to take responsibility for what has happened to him."

Mr Goddard, a father-of-two and alcoholic loner, had been sleeping in his home in Travers Way when the group kicked down his door and beat him to death with concrete, bricks and bare fists last August.

Police had found Smith's bloodied handprint on a wall, as well as damning DNA evidence linking Mann to the attack.

Mrs Marsh said while her client had always admitted he punched Mr Goddard tento 20 times, he had not used a weapon and the jury found it was Mann's stamping that killed him.

She said while Mann led the attack, her client did not blame him for his actions.

She said: "He was a follower, but he does not blame Andrew Mann for the predicament in which they find themselves."

Mrs Marsh added that Smith had been taking positive steps to get his life back on track since going into custody.

She said he has undertaken a number of courses and will soon begin training to become a plumber to provide him with a living when he emerges from prison.

She said: "He is a young man who has genuine remorse."

In sentencing, Mr Justice Teare said he believed Smith, had not meant to kill Mr Goddard. He also said he did not see him as a danger to the public.