Simon Taylor and Kevin O'Dea, both 22, were convicted of the manslaughter of Sion Hardy, 24, after they attacked him following a night out in Liverpool city centre last November.

They were both sentenced to seven years.

Outside court, the Hardy family issued a statement.

"Sion was a special, unique and happy person and we feel honoured to have had him in our lives.

"He was adored by both his family and friends and his death has had a devastating affect on us all.

"Society needs to be aware of the detrimental affects our streets can have on innocent victims and their families.

"Sion was so positive and working towards a promising career.

"He had such a bright future ahead of him - that has all been taken away in a moment.

"This is some form of closure for us. The simple truth is that Sion is no longer with us.

"We will never forget what a beautiful person Sion was and he will always have a special place in our hearts."

Mr Hardy, who worked in Anglesey Council's planning department and was studying for his civic design degree at Liverpool University, was died in hospital after recieving a a blow to his neck. The court heard that he was the innocent victim of an ambush that was intended for his friend, Stephen Lunne.

Liverpool Crown Court heard that O'Dea, a part-time model and corporate host at Manchester United, was "central" to what happened to Mr Hardy.

He had argued with Mr Lunne and wanted revenge, the prosecution claimed, and launched the assault in an underpass along with Taylor, and two other men, Richard Faustino and Thomas Canning, who have not been charged.

Taylor, of Ashton-in-Makerfield, admitted punching Mr Hardy in the face three times but only in self defence.

Today, after 12 hours and 57 minutes deliberation, the jury of delivered their final verdict.

They had already found Taylor, who has previous convictions for assaulting a policeman, unanimously guilty of manslaughter but cleared him of murder.

When the guilty verdict came back for O'Dea, of Co Donegal, he broke down in tears and his family and friends sobbed loudly in the public gallery.

The jury foreman also broke down in tears and there were shouts of "Yes," from the victim's family.

Judge Henry Globe QC, the Recorder of Liverpool, said: "Inside the club there was a minor altercation with nothing more serious than bumping and pushing on the dance floor."

It "exploded" outside, he said, and said it was difficult to understand why only O'Dea and Taylor were charged.

The attack had sickened female witnesses and damaged Liverpool's good reputation.

"Sion Hardy was effectively an innocent bystander," the judge added.

"It has led to the wasteful loss of life of a student of promise, heartache, shock and distress to all members of his family."

Taylor and O'Dea, both students at Liverpool John Moores University, will have time spent in custody deducted from their sentences.