A MURDERER who killed a 24-year-old man with a metallic horseshoe has been jailed for 21 years and 123 days.

Kirkpatrick Virgo was found guilty of attacking golf greenkeeper Thomas Parker in what police described as a ‘senseless act of violence’ at Reading Station on July 30 last year.

The 42-year-old had hit Mr Parker on the back of the head following an altercation between himself, his brother and his friends on the train about Virgo and his friends playing loud music from a boombox.

After the groups got off at platform eight, Virgo struck Mr Parker with a horseshoe following a further altercation.

After three hours and 49 minutes, a twelve-strong jury found the 42-year-old guilty of murder at Reading Crown Court on Wednesday (March 29).

Today, the Slough man from Whitby Road appeared in the dock wearing a navy tracksuit for sentencing.

Five members of the jury returned to hear the sentencing remarks.

READ MORE: Man found GUILTY of murdering Thomas Parker at Reading station

Prosecutor Tahir Khan read out a victim impact statement from Mr Parker’s father, Steven.

It read: “The impact on our family is immeasurable. Tom’s death and the tragic circumstances that lead to and the memory of that has impacted our lives.

“Tom Parker, 24 years of age, our son, a brother, grandson, friend, neighbour, and colleague. Tom had a bubbly personality and always had a smile on his face.

“He was very popular and had lots of friends. Tom did not have a bad bone in his body. I would describe him as a lover not a fighter.

“We were heartbroken, destroyed inside. I was Tom’s father but I was more like a brother. Craig has not only lost his brother but also his closest friend.

“Tom lived at home with us and being at home every day and not seeing Tom in the house with us is a pain and hurt we bear everyday of our lives.

“We spent months receiving counselling, getting over the pain and grief, but one little memory or experience brings any chance of healing to a halt.

READ MORE: Reading Festival dealers caught out as stash found inside moped seat

“We bear no physical scars but the emotional and physical scars will remain with us forever. Only those who have experience a loss of a loved one in circumstances like this will understand.

“There’s not moving on for us. There’s no forgetting. The pain will not go away, we just have to learn to live with and somehow find some hope and light in a world that has brought us so much darkness.”

Read the full impact statement here.

The court heard that Virgo has five convictions for 10 previous offences including criminal damage, harassment and possession of Class A drugs between 2015 and 2021.

Defending Virgo, Alan Kent said that Virgo, a married father of four, has demonstrated ‘genuine remorse’.

He said: “We appreciate the pain [Mr Parker’s family] feel and have enormous sympathies for their endless heartache.

“It was an isolated incident. The defendant was not the initial aggressor on the day. His apology to the family at the start of his evidence was heartfelt.

READ MORE: Man jailed for strangling partner despite her claim it was 'consensual rough sex'

“He is totally and genuinely sorry and he acknowledges and appreciates the pain and grief that he has caused.”

Sentencing, Judge Amjad Khan said: “That short time was tragedy for both side. Thomas Parker was a son, a brother, a grandson. His loss will be there for all those connected with him.

“No sentence I can pass will ever put that right. They will not have the pleasure of seeing him grow up and flourish.

“Similarly, Kirkpatrick Virgo is a married man, father of four, youngest aged seven, oldest aged 19. They will be deprived of his companionship for a significant period of time because of the events that occurred that night.”

He was sentenced for 21 years and 123 days down from a starting point of 25 years. The mitigating factors considering were the ‘racism, lack of intention to kill, age, personal circumstances and expression of remorse’.

READ MORE: Teen charged with causing 'unnecessary suffering' to two dogs to stand trial

A two year concurrent sentence was also given for the possession of an offensive weapon which Virgo previously pleaded guilty to.

Virgo also previously admitted manslaughter and maintained throughout the trial that he did ‘not intend to kill anyone’.