A TEENAGER is facing jail after his mum shopped him for killing a father-of-four.

‘Reprehensible and disgraceful’ Terence Gaskin, 18, had ‘consumed far too much alcohol’.

In an unprovoked attack he crossed the street and felled Kenneth Turbull with a single punch.

Police initially thought Mr Turnbull, 51, had simply collapsed in the street in Darwen town centre and were preparing a file for the coroner.

But Gaskin confessed to his mum, Wendy, what he had done – and she shopped him to police.

Yesterday at Preston Crown Court Gaskin, of Bright Street, Darwen, pleaded guilty to manslaughter following Mr Turnbull’s death just one month ago.

He was warned to prepare himself for a custodial sentence.

After the case Detective Chief Inspector Neil Hunter, who lead the investigation, said: “The afternoon after the attack Gaskin went to his mother’s and confessed he had killed somebody.

“She was appalled by her son’s behaviour.

“She rang police who had started to put two and two together.

“His mother was key and it helped focus the investigation.

“It was very public spirited of her to do this.”

Mr Turnbull, a self-employed kitchen fitter, of Limes Avenue, Darwen, was found unconscious by police on a footpath outside the White Lion pub.

The officer gave CPR but Mr Turnbull was pronounced dead at the scene.

Tests showed he died of a brain haemorrhage and officers did not treat the death as suspicious as he showed no outward signs of violence.

But Gaskin confessed to his mum that he had struck Mr Turnbull with a single blow.

And CCTV later found by police shows Gaskin approach Mr Turnbull - who was walking home alone after enjoying a meal at an Indian restaurant with friends - and punch him once in the face.

Seconds later, as Gaskin and two friends stood over Mr Turnbull, a police patrol car pulled up.

But the trio pretended they were concerned by standers to a man who had collapsed, police said.

Mr Hunter added: “This was an unprovoked attack on a harmless middle aged male, who was minding his own business and making his way home after a night out, by young man who had consumed far too much alcohol.

“Gaskin's behaviour was reprehensible and disgraceful for which he should be thoroughly ashamed.

“Sadly it highlights the perils of drinking far too much alcohol and being oblivious to the consequences of your actions.

"The guilty plea has brought this investigation to a very swift conclusion but nevertheless this preventable and unnecessary death has ruined the lives of so many people.

“I feel especially sad for Ken's family as nothing will ever bring him back and his death leaves a void in their lives that they must find impossible to fill".

In court, defence barrister Keith Thomas said Gaskin had written a letter to the judge and this went on to be read by the Recorder of Preston, Judge Anthony Russell QC.

A pre-sentence report will be compiled on Gaskin by the Probation Service. The judge told him: "You have pleaded guilty to a serious offence.

"You must understand that for an offence of this nature, there will be a custodial sentence and you must prepare yourself for that".

Gaskin, who will turn nineteen next month, was remanded in custody until he is sentenced next month.

After Mr Turnbull’s death his family said their lives had been ‘ripped apart’.

They said he was a ‘devoted dad’ and ‘loving husband’ who had been ‘tragically taken away’ from his family.

Family told how he had a great sense of humour and loved northern soul music and Blackburn Rovers.

He was married to Anita and had three sons, Mark, 27, Andy, 24, and Oliver, 16, and a daughter, Abbie, 12