The older brother of Ben Neilson - the student from Ashford who was beaten to death by two drunken thugs while home from university for the Easter holidays - has paid tribute to a "fantastic brother, uncle and son".

Scott Neilson, 33, has also spoken of how his brother planned to join the police after finishing his studies at Northumbria University.

On Friday, two young men from Ashford were jailed for life for 21-year-old Ben's murder, which happened in April. Zion Covey, 21, of Lynsted Close, Stanhope and 20-year-old Gareth Powell of Benstead, South Ashford, will serve a minimum of 13 and 12 years respectively.

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Scott said while Ben's family "will struggle" with the minimum tariffs imposed, no sentence could make up for the loss they have suffered.

Audio: Scott Neilson talks about this brother Ben and his killers' sentencing

He said: "[Ben] was just fantastic - a fantastic brother, fantastic uncle, fantastic son. He was the kind of person if he spoke two words to you, you would like him.

"He was studying quantity surveying in Newcastle and it was his last year. He was going to join the police, that was his aim. Friends and family, we'll never forget, he'll live on within us and his memory will never die."

"In some countries if you take a life you actually lose your life, we're a bit more dignified in this country. No matter what the sentencing it will never bring him back.

"Twelve to 13 years is a long time for them to sit and think about what they've done and I hope they do."