Grinning thugs face life after killing 'beautiful boy' at Halloween

Three "drunken yobs" were facing life in jail today for killing an IT expert who stood up to the gang after they snatched his girlfriend's Halloween hat.

Ben Gardner, 30, who worked for Legal & General, was punched to the ground in a street in south London where he lay helpless as one of the men kicked his head "as if taking a penalty".

Allanna Devine, 28, was also punched in the attack in the early hours of November 1 last year, an Old Bailey jury heard.

Daniel Ransom, 21, Ross Collender, 21, and Jordan Dixon, 18, all of Carshalton, Surrey, were found guilty of murder today on an 11 to one majority.

The court heard Dixon acted "like a boxing referee" and shouted: "He got f***ed up. It's over. He's out."

The attack lasted six seconds but the victim suffered fatal brain damage and died in hospital.

Mr Gardner had been celebrating Miss Devine's 28th birthday at a Halloween fancy dress party at a Sutton nightclub.

He was killed because he challenged the group when one of them punched his girlfriend in the face after taking the hat.

She was dressed in a pirate's outfit, with a black wig and hat. He had a black leather jacket and vampire fangs.

With his fangs in his mouth he told them: "I'm not a fighter - but I'm not standing back and letting you get away with it."

Prosecutor Brian Altman, QC, described the assault as "a familiar story of town centre loutish and violent Saturday night behaviour...with a tragic twist".

The three men had been "spoiling for a fight" after spending the night drinking and had snatched Miss Devine's hat and wig while she waited outside a takeaway shop.

Mr Altman told the court that CCTV footage showed the incident unfold - and the three men laughing as they walked away afterwards.

As Mr Gardner remonstrated with the men Collender "suddenly and unexpectedly" punched him on the left side of the face. He recoiled and was then punched by Dixon, falling onto his back in the road.

Mr Altman said Ransom then kicked an "utterly defenceless" Mr Gardner.

"This was a completely unjustified attack, an escalation of violence," he added. "Ben Gardner never stood a chance. He never laid a single finger on anyone. The reaction of Ransom and Collender was to run - big, cheesy grins on their faces."

Witness Sean James said: "I saw a punch being hurled. He stumbled. He got hit again. Then he hit the ground and he was lying in the road.

"Then another man kicked him in the head. It was very ferocious - as if he was kicking a football.

Ben's father, David Gardner, said in a victim impact statement: "He died holding my hand with his eyes slightly open. I only hope he saw me. I kissed him twice on the forehead and I blessed him and said goodbye.

"Ben was a beautiful boy."