Gang of hooded thugs sentenced to 50 years for beating man to death after he told them to stop throwing food
Brave Shane Tunney tried to save friend from mauling but ended up losing his own life
A GANG of vicious hoodies who murdered a man just because he asked them to stop throwing food were jailed for more than 50 years yesterday.
Kearan Davis and his cousin Kieran Davis mercilessly attacked Shane Tunney with five other pals after one of the thugs issued the order: "Hoods up."
Shane, 24, and his mate Anthony Kirk, 22, had objected to having food thrown at them from the roof of a Tesco supermarket while they were using a cashpoint.
Shane managed to get away but bravely went back to help Anthony, only for the yobs to to kick his head "as though they were kicking footballs at a goal".
Anthony survived but Shane suffered a severe brain injury and died four weeks later without regaining consciousness.
Kearan Davis, 18, was given a minimum term of 15 years after earlier being convicted of murder following a month-long trial at Teesside crown court.
Kieran Davis, 18, was given a minimum term of 13 years after also being convicted of murder.
Jake Douglas, Brandon Pitt, Daniel Hunt, all 18, and two boys aged 16 and 17, who can't be named, were found not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter.
Douglas was locked up for four and a half years, Pitt for seven years and Hunt for four and a half years.
The 17-year-old got four years detention and the 16-year-old three years and nine months, making a total sentencing of 51 years and nine months in detention.
Mr Justice Andrew Smith said the gang were in a state of "silly childish excitement" after the attack.
He added: "Shane Tunney was a cheerful, generous and wholly decent man who supported others, was kind to others and brought great joy to others.
His loss cannot be put into words."
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Delivery driver Shane and Anthony, who was looking for work as a driver, were attacked in June last year in Norton, Stockton-on-Tees.
Prosecutor Andrew Stubbs, QC, said the friends had the "misfortune" to arrive at the cashpoint minutes after the gang.
Mr Stubbs said: "A witness saw Shane being attacked. He was thrown to the floor and repeatedly kicked - like they were kicking footballs at a goal - and she saw one of them lift up his leg and stamp down on
Shane's head before walking away to the others like it was a job well done."
One of the gang also used an iron bar to attack Anthony.
Shane managed to get away and flag down a passing taxi. He could have made it to safety but bravely went back to help Anthony when he realised he was still being beaten.
Taxi passenger John Robinson told the trial: "He came around to my side and asked for help. I said 'just get yourself in the taxi'.
"He said his mate was being set upon down the road. He said he wouldn't leave him. I told him to get his mate in the taxi.
He pointed to where he was but I couldn't see anyone."
Cops hailed Shane as a hero for going back to help his friend.
His physiotherapist girlfriend Victoria Cooper, 24, told of her agony as she thought he was winning his fight for life.
She said in court yesterday: "He locked eyes with me, he had tears rolling down his cheeks, he put his hand in mine and it felt as though he knew I was there."
His mother Jean Wilson said: "Evil cowards invaded our lives and took away our son. There are no words to describe our anger. You have taken away our son."
Barristers for the gang said they had all shown remorse and none had intended to kill Shane.
Kearan Davis was also found guilty of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm to Anthony.
Kieran Davis was found not guilty of attempted GBH to Anthony but was found guilty of actual bodily harm.
Douglas was found not guilty of attempted GBH but guilty of ABH. Pitt was found guilty of attempted GBH.
Hunt was found not guilty of attempted GBH but guilty of ABH.
The 17-year-old was found not guilty of attempting to cause GBH with intent but guilty of ABH while the 16-year-old boy was found not guilty of attempted GBH but guilty of ABH.