River death pair to be sentenced

The trial heard the pair attacked their victim when he was helpless

Two teenagers who burnt a man with a cigarette lighter before rolling him into a river are to be sentenced.

James Quantrill, 17, and Thomas Orme, 15, were convicted of the manslaughter of Toby Atkin in Spalding in November.

Nottingham Crown Court heard they knew the 25-year-old was a binge-drinker and drug user and attacked him when he was helpless to respond, in May 2007.

Judge Michael Stokes has already told Orme and Quantrill they would inevitably receive custodial sentences.

He added that, given their "appalling criminal records" and the nature of the offence, it was in the public interest to name them.

'Humiliation and pain'

After the verdict it was revealed that Orme had 13 previous convictions and Quantrill had 24.

During the 12-day trial, the jury heard the victim was unconscious when the boys burnt, kicked and urinated on him before rolling him into the River Welland.

The court heard that Orme filmed part of the attack on his mobile phone and Quantrill branded Mr Atkin's face and neck with a cigarette lighter to leave burn marks in the shape of smiling faces.

Lincolnshire Police said he had suffered hours of humiliation and pain.

Quantrill and Orme, both from Spalding, had denied any involvement in Mr Atkin's death, claiming he fell into the water on his own.