THE brother of a “gentle, kind, caring and sensitive” man who was “cold-heartedly” killed by a trio of violent robbers has said his family’s lives are now filled with “darkness and pain".

Nick Bastable wrote an emotional and powerful statement, which was read by the prosecutor at the sentencing hearing of the men who had been responsible for killing his brother Michael Bastable, who was known as Shaun.

Sentencing judge The Honourable Mr Justice Jeremy Baker said it was clear the actions of Damien Johnson, Hayden Johnson and Dominic MacDonald had “profound” repercussions on Shaun’s family.

Hayden Johnson, 29, and Damien Johnson, 31, both of Christchurch Road, Bournemouth, pleaded guilty to manslaughter and three counts of robbery, two of which related to separated incidents not involving Mr Bastable.

MacDonald, 30 and of St John’s Road, Bournemouth, admitted manslaughter and two counts of robbery, including one of the separate incidents.

The Johnsons were jailed for 22 years, with a three-year extended licence period, and MacDonald was jailed for 18 years.

Shaun was found unresponsive in an alleyway off Shelbourne Road, near the A338 Wessex Way in Bournemouth on the afternoon of January 14.

Nick Bastable’s statement said: “Whilst my name stands alone at the top of this statement, what follows is a statement from all of Shaun’s family, as we are united in our grief following Shaun’s unlawful killing. It would hurt just to lose him, through ill-health or from his own actions, but the pain is multiplied in knowing his death was at the hands of Damian, Hayden and Dominic, brutal, animalistic and unnecessary.

“To delve into the depth of despair that we are drowning in and try and find the words to give you even the smallest understanding, is impossible, it’s beyond explanation. We are simply broken.

“Shaun was mum and dad’s “Little Angel” we always teased them and him that he was the favourite. Shaun was gentle, kind, caring and sensitive. Yes sadly in later life he had demons, with alcohol and drugs, but he was more than this and he was trying, truly trying to overcome them.”

Nick said his brother had worked hard for many years and enjoyed his time doing groundwork.

“He was doing what he could to try and better himself and rid himself of the addictions,” he said.

“He was so incredibly vulnerable, to predators and vultures, it felt like there was always someone who would take advantage of him.”

He added: “He wasn’t savvy, he had a good heart and would help others in the way he would wish for others to help him if he needed. The ripple of destruction that has torn through our family is immeasurable.”

As reported, police initially believed Shaun’s death was not suspicious, however, Nick raised his own investigative work with police after realising his bike was not at his home and he found items belonging to Shaun around where he was found.

His statement said: “In the beginning Shaun’s death was thought to have been as a result of a medical incident but as the days went on and I learnt different snippets of information, I couldn’t rest, this was my brother, I knew in my heart it wasn’t a medical incident.

“Shaun had no reason to be out and about that day, but he suffered with early onset dementia which added another layer of fragility to his life where he would so easily forget and go out to do things he’d already done. I knew his habits, his routines. Things were missing that he would have on him if he was out and about. His flat was insecure, his bike was gone.

“Then to go and sit in the bank and hear that his bank card had been used after he’d died, it took all my might not to vomit, I shook uncontrollably, utterly overwhelmed with horror. It felt for a time like I had to battle to be Shaun’s voice to make it known that things weren’t right, it was physically and emotionally exhausting.

"Whilst I never ever wanted Shaun’s death to have been because of such brutality it was a relief when it was recognised as being criminal.”

Nick said the actions of the defendants had put an “immeasurable” pressure on the family, with them at risk of being torn apart through individual grief and stress.

He described how every day is now destroyed and any “glimmer of joy” in an occasion is tainted because his brother is not there to share it.

Nick said Shaun was looking to move house and take pride in having the best garden in the street.

He loved dogs and wanted a new canine companion to share his fresh start. An avid football fan, he was keen to see Cherries go back to the Premier League.

“Such simple dreams, but to him they were everything,” Nick said.

“It’s crushing to know he never made his escape, to live his best life.”

He added: “You’ll all walk away today, maybe think of this case now and again but there is no walking away for us, this is our life now, days of darkness and pain. People talk of re-building lives, of moving on. All we can do is tolerate the pain. Nothing that is said in court, no sentence given nor words of love from us will bring him back. Shaun BASTABLE, Son, Brother, Dad, Granddad and Uncle, gone forever.”