THREE men have been jailed for a total of more than 60 years for killing a man and carrying out violent robberies in Bournemouth.

Damien Sean Johnson, 31, Hayden Johnson, 29, and Dominic MacDonald, 30, admitted the manslaughter of 56-year-old Michael Bastable in an alleyway off Shelbourne Road.

The defendants, who all lived in Bournemouth, also admitted robbery of Mr Bastable, who was known as Shaun, on the day of his death on January 14 and a separate incident on January 19.

The Johnson brothers also admitted a third robbery, committed on January 21.

Sentencing judge the Honourable Mr Justice Jeremy Baker said: "Although there are no witnesses to what took place in the alleyway, it is clear the complainant was attacked and robbed."

He added: “The complainant was attacked with such violence that he died.”

A forensic post-mortem indicated Mr Bastable had died from injuries to his stomach area that were consistent with him being repeatedly stamped or jumped on while lying on his back on the ground.

“The repercussions for his family have been profound," the Honourable Mr Justice Baker said.

The judge referenced the statement from Mr Bastable's brother, which said: "The ripple of destruction that has torn through our family is immeasurable."

Damien Johnson and Hayden Johnson, both of Christchurch Road, were jailed for 22 years, with a three-year extended licence after the judge concluded they were dangerous offenders.

MacDonald, of St John’s Road, was jailed for 18 years.

At the Winchester Crown Court hearing on Friday, July 15, prosecutor Sally Howes QC read a victim personal statement from Mr Bastable’s brother.

Mr Bastable's brother said the defendants’ actions were "brutal, animalistic and unnecessary".

He said it is impossible to find the words to describe the pain the family had felt.

“We are simply broken,” the victim’s brother said.

Mr Bastable was described as "gentle, kind, caring and sensitive".

The court heard Mr Bastable’s death was initially not being treated as suspicious by police but two days after his death his sibling said he had been to his brother’s home and found his bike was missing.

At the scene where Mr Bastable was found he located items that he believed belonged to his brother. It was later discovered that the victim’s bank card had been used after his death.

"This was my brother, I knew in my heart it wasn't a medical incident," the court was told.

Mr Bastable’s brother added: “It was a relief when it was recognised as being criminal.”

“Any glimmer of joy in an occasion is tainted because Shaun isn't there to share it,” he said.

The victim of the January 19 robbery read his statement from the witness box.

He told the court: "I cannot accept any apology for what has happened to me and the money I have lost."

Ms Howes QC read a statement from the victim in the January 21 incident, in which the man said the incident had been life-changing for him.

"It will be a long haul to get back to the person I was,” he said. “Whether I will, only time will tell."

Nic Lobbenberg QC, representing Hayden Johnson, said his client had never been imprisoned before.

"Bizarrely, prison has provided him with an opportunity, an opportunity for education, an opportunity for structure," Mr Lobbenberg QC said.

The barrister added: "He has meted out behaviour that has been destructive, hurtful and wicked to other people. He recognises that and he has the capacity for redemption."

James Newton-Price QC, representing Damien Johnson, said like his brother, the defendant had a very difficult early life.

Mr Newton-Price QC said his client appreciated that the sentence he was likely to receive would mean for many years he will have no effective contact with his three children.

David Bentley QC, representing MacDonald, described the defendant’s early start in life as “very traumatic”.

"Since being in custody he has managed to make real efforts," Mr Bentley QC said.

"He is not only drug free, but he has also managed to do some positive things."