A hooded Chorley thug who laughed as he killed has been jailed for life after being convicted of the murder of a university student described as 'not having an enemy in the world' by his family.

Carl Newton, 21, of Princess Way, Euxton, had denied murdering 21-year-old Joe Medforth, a psychology student at the University of Central Lancashire, in Preston, who came from Ryther, near Tadcaster.

Co defendant Anthony Silcock, 20, of Villiers Court, Plungington, Preston, who also denied the charge, was also found guilty of murder. Both had previous convictions for violence.

They were told by the judge at Preston Crown Court that they will have to serve at least 13 and a half years in jail before being considered for parole. The jury was told that Joe was the victim of a random, senseless and brutal attack.

He happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time and was killed after being targeted as he walked home from a night out with friends.

Newton and Silcock were seen pulling up their hoods and "the game was on", said John McDermott QC, prosecuting.

Joe was knocked to the ground, his head bouncing off the pavement, and he was kicked and stamped on as his attackers laughed.

He suffered catastrophic brain damage and died 30 hours later with his father Albert at his hospital bedside.

Newton did not give evidence, but Silcock claimed they had been play acting in the street, and he had not meant to cause him any harm. Both wrote letters to the court expressing sympathy.

The court heard that Newton had convictions for robbery, inflicting grievous bodily harm, and assault.

Silcock's long record include convictions for robbery, and two assaults.

Judge Michael Henshell said Joe Medforth had been on the threshold of adult life, a life rich in promise.

He said: "His life was brutally cut short by your actions. The harrowing details of this case contain features which are all too common in contemporary society, acts of random violence committed late at night."

The judge accepted there had not been an intention to kill and there was no premeditation.

After the case, Joe's family paid tribute to him as a gentle, good natured young man, always smiling and kind. His mother Susan said: "This evil act by two violent young men has robbed us of Joe's future.

"He was loved by everyone he ever met - he never had an enemy. We are just heartbroken.

"All this time up to the court case I couldn't accept that he was dead. It didn't make sense. I still keep thinking he is going to comethrough the door.

"The very last time I saw him he gave me a bear hug and said 'I love you mum'."

Joe, an accomplished musician and guitarist, was also interested in Buddhism, and had studied Kung Fu at the Shaolin Temple in London.