A MAN has been jailed for the manslaughter of his cousin, former Irish League footballer David Mills.
Mr Mills (47), who played for Portadown in the North of Ireland, was punched up to 13 times during an assault in Ballynahinch town centre, Co Down on September 30 2012.
His cousin, John Stanley Foster (31) of Corrigs Road, Newcastle, Co Down was sentenced to seven years at Downpatrick Crown Court today.
He has been ordered to serve at least half of his sentence in prison and the remainder on licence.
After a mid-trial admission of manslaughter in December 2013 the trial was halted.
Judge Mr Justice Burgess told Foster that had the jury convicted him for manslaughter he would have faced a 10-year prison sentence.
