Life sentence for teenage killer

David Lucas was found in a river with head injuries

A teenager who admitted murdering a 31-year-old man by punching, kicking and stamping on him has been jailed for a minimum of 20 years.

Dean Cullen, 19, of Lawson Road, Norwich, was given a life sentence for killing David Lucas, of Norwich, in July last year.

The body of Mr Lucas was recovered from the River Wensum, in Norwich.

At Norwich Crown Court, Mr Justice Calvert-Smith described Cullen as "cowardly and vicious".

Cullen pleaded guilty to murder in February this year.

A post-mortem examination showed Mr Lucas had extensive head injuries.

Dean Cullen was sentenced to a minimum of 20 years in prison

At Norwich Crown Court four other men were sentenced in connection with the murder of Mr Lucas, who was robbed of £300.

Michael William Moss, 19, of Spencer Road, Norwich, was sentenced to three and a half years after admitting earlier to a charge of robbery.

Anthony Christopher Walker, 18, of Catton Grove Road, Norwich, was sentenced to three years for the same offence.

Alan David McHugh, 34, of Shipfields, Norwich, was sentenced to four years after admitting to a charge of perverting the course of justice.

Det Ch Insp Colin Pearce said: "This has been a difficult and complicated enquiry involving a number of vulnerable witnesses.

"We have shown that this was essentially a robbery which went too far and resulted in a vicious assault which cost a man his life.

"David Lucas had moved to this area to start a new life with his partner and her son and he had been hoping to settle down near to his family."