The man who punched aand killed an Elmbridge resident in a "cowardly" one punch attack has been handed a longer jail sentence.

Barney Coyle, 23, was jailed for manslaughter in January and on Thursday (March 19) he had his sentence increased by more than two years, the Attorney General's Office said.

Coyle killed Elmbridge man Jamie Smith, 24, after attacking him outside a kebab shop in Guildford in the early hours of October 12, 2019.

Coyle, from Guildford, had been thrown out of the shop after acting aggressively and throwing punches at a customer.

Smith was nearby and waiting to get a pre-booked minicab home when Coyle, who he had never met before, jumped into the car.

After Smith objected, Coyle got out of the car and punched him in the head from behind.

Smith was knocked unconscious and fell backwards, hitting his head on the ground.

He was taken to hospital but had suffered a fatal brain injury and subsequently died.

Coyle was sentenced to seven years and six months in prison for manslaughter at Guildford Crown Court in January.

But following a referral to the Court of Appeal by the Solicitor General under the Unduly Lenient Sentence Scheme, his term has now been increased to nine years and nine months behind bars.

After the hearing, Solicitor General Michael Ellis said:

"The offender launched a cowardly, callous attack on a defenceless victim which cost the victim his life.

"Taking into account the severity of this attack, increasing the length of the sentence was necessary for justice to be done.

"I am pleased the Court of Appeal agreed and I hope this brings some comfort to the victim's family."