A 16-YEAR-OLD has been sentenced to three and a half years in custody for the manslaughter of a man who was so drunk he was "effectively comatose" on a street bench.

The youth, who cannot be named for legal reasons, appeared at Nottingham Corwn Court today to be sentenced for the attack on James Peter Sheppard, 54, outside Mansfield Community Hospital on July 13 last year.

Paul Mann QC, prosecuting, said Mr Sheppard was "effectively comatose with drink" after consuming at least nine pints of lager and possibly a bottle of whisky.

His attacker, who was just 15 at the time, had been with two friends when they passed by Mr Sheppard slouched on the bench.

EXPLAINED: Why we cannot reveal the identity of the attacker.

The youth, who went on to admit manslaughter, poured beer over Mr Sheppard to wake him up but when he showed no reaction he tapped his pint glass on him and then threw it at his head.

He went on to punch and kick him.

His two co-accused, who also cannot be named due to their age, have been dealt with at Nottingham Crown Court for assaulting Mr Sheppard.

They were given 12 month supervision orders and three month curfews.

Judge Michael Stokes QC said it was not right for the 16-year-old to be named as it was likely to adversely affect his rehabilitation.

He described the incident as "drunken yobbery".

He said the victim was particularly vulnerable.

He said: "James Peter Sheppard last July was doing nothing at all that could possibly have caused any sensible person to react as you and your friends did.

"Yes, he had a lot to drink, but all he was doing was sleeping on a bench in a public place in Mansfield.

"You and your friends, who had been drinking when you shouldn't have been and drinking far too much, obviously thought you would have some fun at his expense.

"I am prepared to accept your initial actions and those of your friends were simply to try to wake him up and then it got much more nasty."