Weston-super-Mare family of Darren Plumley will never get over his death

The devastated parents of Darren Plumley, who died after being attacked in Weston-super-Mare on New Year's Day, have said they will never get over their son's death.

Darren, 25, was found unconscious in Gloucester Street just a few metres away from the resort's pubs and clubs at 6am on New Year's Day.

He was taken to Weston Hospital for treatment, but died later. Liverpool Football Club supporter Darren had been out celebrating the New Year with friends when he was attacked.

Sultan Burak, 30, of Richmond Street, and Deniz Mehmetoglu, 33, of Clevedon Road, Weston-super-Mare, both admitted manslaughter at Bristol Crown Court this week.

The men had faced an allegation of murder but were both pronounced not guilty of that charge.

The court heard that Darren – described as a "gentle giant" by his family and friends – had not suffered serious physical harm but died as a result of a mild concussive injury after consuming a substantial amount of alcohol.

Both men are due to be sentenced later this month.

Darren's parents, Andrew and Carol Plumley, who attended the hearing, said they "felt sickened" when they came face to face with his killers in the courtroom.

They said the past 11 months since Darren died had been a "living hell" that had devastated the entire family.

Mr Plumley, who runs his own business Bits N Pieces in Sunnyside Road, said: "We have had our lives on hold since the minute Darren was taken from us. He is on our mind every minute of the day; it still just doesn't seem real and we will never get over it.

"These two men have robbed us of our son, destroyed his brother David and devastated our entire family and all of Darren's friends.

"Darren, like many other people, was out celebrating the New Year with his friends.

"The last thing which he expected to happen was to lose his life.

"David is so broken by his brother's death that he rarely goes out any more.

"We felt sickened when we saw his killers in the dock and both found it very difficult to cope with, seeing them standing there.

"We won't be able to get any sort of closure on this until they have been sentenced.

"I hope justice will be done and they receive a sentence which fits the crime."

The Plumleys have also moved from the family home at Earlham Grove where Darren grew up because it held so many memories.

Mr Plumley, 49, said: "We spent 17 years at Earlham Grove and Darren grew up there. The family home held so many memories for us and they were such a painful daily reminder that we decided to move. We can't bring ourselves to sell the house though, as that would be too much of a wrench."

The family also had to deal with another tragic blow after the sudden death of Mr Plumley's sister, Julie, 49, at the weekend.

Mr Plumley said: "My sister used to look after Darren and they were very close. It is extremely sad that she will never be able to see justice for the nephew that she loved so much."