A warehouse worker who killed a colleague with polythene wrap after a row at their Worcester premises has been sentenced to three years' detention.

Afrim Bulica struck 18-year-old Moses Makooba over the head with a heavy roll of industrial shrink wrap.

He collapsed inside the chilled warehouse at Sainsbury's distribution centre in Wainwright Road, Warndon, smashing his head on the floor. Mr Makooba, who lived in Birmingham, died two days later in hospital from a brain injury.

The victim suffered two skull fractures. Bulica, also 18, of Reddings Lane, Hall Green, admitted man-

-slaughter on the basis that he had no intention of causing serious harm.

He told police Mr Makooba had "got in his way" during a night shift, looked at him with hatred, insulted him and punched him on the jaw.

Judge Michael Mott accepted there was a degree of provocation. It was likely the victim's head hitting the floor produced the fatal injuries. The judge said there was an element of misfortune.

A "nasty feature" was that Mr Makooba was approached from behind.

On August 25 last year, staff saw Mr Macooba slap Bulica across the face. Bulica raised his arms to defend himself and then walked off.

Moments later he returned and wielded the three-and-a half-pound roll like a baseball bat, said Mr Cooper.

Bulica claimed to staff that Mr Macooba was trying to cut his throat and had a knife, but it was never found.

Mr Macooba suffered a fit at Worcestershire Royal Hospital and a scan revealed bleeding of the brain. He was transferred to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, in Birmingham, but died.

Mr Cooper said police found no injuries on Bulica.

Roger Smith QC, defending, said Bulica had been only 17 at the time of the killing and was alone in Britain. He said he had a difficult early life.

At first he listened to the wrong advice of friends and claimed he had only pushed the victim with the roll. But he now accepted the prosecution case.