Beds police have welcomed the sentencing of four teenage men who were today, May 16, handed a total of 79 years' imprisonment for the murder of Luton man Stephen Green.

Victim Mr Green, 55, of Acworth Crescent, was savagely beaten in an horrific attack as he cycled his way home from a Dunstable factory, through an M1 underpass near his home on Luton's Hockwell Ring estate on the night of May 4/5 last year.

The four men appeared before Luton Crown Court today, May 16, for sentencing.

Following the judge's decision, senior investigating officer, Det Insp John Giles, said: 'I am satisfied that justice has been done and I hope that Richard's family will be able to put this horrendous ordeal behind them and begin to rebuild their lives.'

The four men sentenced were:

Nicholas Garland, aged 18, of Bradley Road, Luton was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment for the murder of Stephen Green. He was also sentenced to 3 years imprisonment for conspiracy to rob, which will be served concurrently.

Shane Liddy, aged 19, of Brickley Road, Luton was sentenced to 16 years imprisonment for the murder of Stephen Green. He was also sentenced to 3 years imprisonment, for conspiracy to rob, which will be served concurrently.

Richard McNamara, aged 19, of Butely Road, Luton was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment for the murder of Stephen Green. He was also sentenced to 3 years imprisonment for conspiracy to rob, which will be served concurrently.

Darryll Bennett, aged 18, of Eighth Avenue, Luton, was sentenced to 19 years imprisonment for the murder of Stephen Green, 6 years for conspiracy to rob and 2 years for perverting the course of justice, which will be served concurrently.

Prior to the commencement of the trial Bennett, Garland and McNarmara pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of manslaughter and conspiracy to rob. Bennett also pleaded guilty to the charge of perverting the course of justice. Shane Liddy was the only person who pleaded not guilty to the charges he faced.

On April 18 all four defendants were unanimously found guilty of the murder of Stephen Green. Liddy was also found guilty of conspiracy to rob.

For more details on this court result, see the May 21 edition of the Luton News.