A DISTRAUGHT Wee County father has described the 32-month sentence handed out to his son's killer as a "kick in the teeth for the family".

Duncan Logie was furious when he heard the judgement handed down to Jamie Spendiff at the High Court last week.

His son Craig died as a result of a violent street fight that broke out in Stirling last year.

He was initially at the forefront of the fighting, but walked away while appearing dazed and unsteady on his feet after falling.

But while off to the side of the brawl, and with his hands in the air, Craig was punched to the head by Spendiff, causing him to fall back and hit his head on the ground.

The fatal incident took place outside No.2 Baker Street on Friars Street on August 7.

Spendiff, 27, of Dove Court, Cullercoats, North Tyneside, previously pleaded guilty to culpable homicide, assault and a breach of the peace, earlier this year and was remanded in custody.

His co-accused Shaun McCarthy, 28, of Seymour Street, North Shields, Tyne and Wear, was also locked up for his role in the incident, but was released last week and handed a community sentence.

He will carry out 250 hours of unpaid work and was given a 7pm-7am curfew for two years, after admitting assault and a breach of the peace.

However, it was the tariff handed to Spendiff that sparked a backlash among Mr Logie's family.

Duncan told the Advertiser: "Honestly, we're feeling a lot of anger at the minute. We went there expecting a sentence of about five or six years, but this 32 months is a kick in the teeth for the family.

"My son's life is not worth 32 months and, to make it worse, he will be out in 15 months or so.

"Culpable homicide is just one step down from murder, and that was all he got. I don't understand that at all.

"We all realise that no sentence would have brought him back, but this punishment does not fit the crime."

Spendiff and McCarthy appeared from custody at the High Court Glasgow last Wednesday (July 13) for sentencing before Lady Stacey.

She accepted that Spendiff did not intend to kill when he landed the fatal blow on Mr Logie last year, while his lawyer insisted that he had initially acted as a "peacemaker."

Defence QC Mark Stewart, representing the accused, said: “He has shown genuine and deep remorse."

He added: "It was not the blow itself which caused the injury; it was the fall which had tragic consequences.

"It was a single blow and he departed the scene not knowing he had caused serious injury to Mr Logie.”

Lady Stacey told Spendiff: “After you had punched Mr Logie and must have known that he had hit his head and was flat out on the ground, you went up to a taxi and punched other people.

“I accept you did not intend to cause his death, but that is in fact what happened. I understand you are remorseful and you are accepting responsibility for the terrible harm caused by your actions.”

However, for the Logie family, the idea that he was remorseful was belied by the fact Spendiff was seen on CCTV dancing around his lifeless body, before later attacking the two other men in a taxi.

Duncan said: "Craig was well-liked in Clackmannanshire – over 2000 people went to his funeral, coming from Glasgow and from around here.

"He was very hardworking; he went straight into work at 17 and worked his way up from joiner to management.

"He was never in any bother with the police his whole life and would rather walk away from a fight. But if one of his friends was involved he would stick up for them.

"And that's what happened here, this boy McCarthy lost his phone and thought maybe someone in Craig's party had taken it. Craig offered him his phone to call it and see if it would ring."

Indeed, there had been animus between the two parties earlier in the evening, with an argument breaking out over "territory at the bar".

Duncan said: "His lawyer says he is sorry, but to say it was the ground that killed my son is just not right.

"It wasn't the ground that killed him it was him. He punched him.

"And what angers me the most was him dancing around his body – that's not showing remorse."

"We don't really trust the criminal justice system," he added. "Not when you can get five years for drugs and only 32 months for culpable homicide.

"So there's not much point in trying to have the sentence appealed. It's not worth it.

"We just have to get on with it and put it behind us. It's going to be hard, but that's what we need to do.

"I would like to say that the police were great throughout the whole thing. They could not have done any more for Craig. The prosecutors too – they kept us all up to date."

Detective Inspector Rory Hamilton, of Police Scotland’s major investigation team, said: “Craig went on a night out with friends only to tragically lose his life as a result of violence.

“Craig's death has been truly devastating to those who knew him, and I want to commend his family for their bravery and dignity throughout this investigation. My condolences remain with them at this time."

A spokesperson for the Crown Office said: "As with all cases, the Crown will consider the sentence and give consideration to whether it might be unduly lenient."