TWO teenagers who carried out a fatal attack on an alcoholic while high on drugs have been detained for a total of 14 years.

Thomas O'Brien died from a brain haemorrhage two days after receiving several kicks to the head outside St Paul's Hostel in Worcester's Tallow Hill on Friday, August 27, last year.

Two days before, one of Mr O'Brien's killers - 17-year-old Karl Hardwick - had launched another attack on him, landing seven or eight kicks to his head and face.

Hardwick, who was 16 at the time, boasted after the first assault that it took "just one punch" to knock Mr O'Brien down. He also had one of O'Brien's teeth in his hand.

He was also heard to say: "I'll do a proper job next time and I'll kill the bastard. I'll give him a proper kicking".

Violence erupted two days later when Hardwick and fellow defendants Graham Davis, aged 18, and Dawn Taylor, 19, were seen fighting on a grass verge.

All had admitted taking heroin before the attack. Witnesses saw Hardwick "stamping" on Mr O'Brien's face and Davis was also seen to kick him.

Taylor, who had also taken heroin, kicked Mr O'Brien between the legs.

Joan Butler, QC, prosecuting, said the 48-year-old scaffolder from Kidderminster had been "a hard working man" who had fallen on hard times.

Hardwick, formerly of Goldsmith Road, Brickfields, and Davis, of Mayfield Avenue, Rainbow Hill, both admitted manslaughter.

Taylor, formerly of Raglan Street, Barbourne, who pleaded guilty to causing actual bodily harm, was released after being in custody for 12 months.

The incident was sparked by a row over money to buy heroin, Worcester Crown Court heard. Miss Butler said Mr O'Brien was in the habit of lending money to other hostel residents but refused to lend any to Hardwick.

Judge Michael Mott, who said the "abuse of drugs" was at the root of this "dreadful episode", sentenced Hardwick to five years in custody, with three years extended supervision. Davis was given four years in custody, with two years extended supervision.

After the case, the dead man's sister, Margaret Brannan, said drug problems in Worcester had led to her brother's death and described the situation as "sad".