HIS violent street attack in York left two children without their loving father. Today, killer Steven Stone is behind bars after being jailed for three years.

But the family of the victim - fun-loving dad Michael Williams, of Chapelfields - blasted the sentence saying they were "disgusted" it was not for life. It fact Stone could be out in only a year with good behaviour.

Michael's partner, Tara Gondzik, said their two little children, Shannon, three, and Lennon, two, did not understand. "All they know is they don't have their daddy," she said.

Attacker laughed as victim lay prone in street

A CRUEL attacker laughed after he knocked a York dad to the ground with a single punch and killed him, a court heard.

Steven Stone, 27, hit 33-year-old Michael Williams "right on the button" during an argument causing him to fall back and strike his head on the pavement.

Judge James Stewart QC, sentencing him to three years at Leeds Crown Court yesterday, said: "What I find sickening was as this man was laid unconscious on the ground, you laughed.

"When his partner Tara Gondzik screamed at you that you had killed her husband, you laughed at her."

Andrew Robertson QC, prosecuting, said: "The defendant and the deceased knew each other and there was a history of bad blood between them.

"The deceased was getting rather fed up of the defendant borrowing money and asking for lifts."

On February 17 this year, Mr Williams and his partner were drinking at their home in Joseph Edward Mews, Chapelfields, York, when the defendant and three others burst into their living room and asked the deceased to go outside."

Steven Stone pleaded guilty to manslaughter and affray. The defendant, who previously lived in Chapelfield Road, Acomb, but is now of no fixed address, punched Mr Williams and the others joined in before the victim and his partner managed to run into the house.

But after about 10.30pm that evening Stone returned to Mr Williams's home, supposedly to "apologise", but a row again broke out and they went outside.

Ms Gondzik told the court in a statement: "Steve threw a punch at Mike, but missed. Mike then threw a punch back and hit him on the face.

"Steve threw a punch back at Mike which struck him on the face.

"The force of the blow pushed Mike backwards on to the pavement and the road and he kept falling backwards and hit his head on the road. I heard a loud crack where his head had made contact with the road."

She added: "When I screamed at Steve that he had killed Mike, he just laughed."

Paul Greaney, defending, said: "Steven Stone takes responsibility for the death of Michael Williams."

But he added there was no fracture or bruising to Mr Williams's face only a small cut to his right ear.

The barrister said: "Steven Stone did not intend any serious harm to the deceased. His death was caused by a fall to the ground."

Judge Stewart told Stone, who has a previous conviction for violence: "You demonstrated by your behaviour that you are prepared to use violence to sort out problems as you have in the past.

"On February 17, you went mob-handed to the house where Mr Williams and his family were visiting. It must have been a frightening experience."

He added: "The blow you struck I consider was right on the button causing him to fall backwards and strike his head on the pavement."

Is that all Michael's life is worth?'

Michael Williams' partner Tara Gondzik today blasted the three-year sentence handed out by the court, saying: "I am disgusted it's not a life sentence."

But she said prosecutors had warned her beforehand that Stone might get as little as 18 months. "It's not as bad as that, but it's still bad enough," she said.

"If he behaves inside, he will be out in a year and two months, after having served six months on remand.

"I am very angry about it. Is that all Michael's life is worth? He was worth everything to me. "Mike's mum Jackie is still devastated by his death and by the outcome of today's case. She feels the same as me, that it's not enough." She said that Michael and her two children, Shannon and Lennon, aged three and two respectively, did not really understand what was going on. "All they know is they don't have their daddy. Shannon goes up to everyone she sees and says he is in heaven with the angels."

Michael's brother, Paul, said: "We have lost a brother who cannot be replaced. I feel the sentence was quite lenient, although the judge had to work within the laws of the land.

"We feel upset about it. It sends out a message to people that they can do this and get away with it."

Tara thanked Paul and everyone else involved in organising a major benefit concert at Certificate 18 earlier this year, which she said had raised £2,000 to help her meet the costs of bringing up the children.