Family and friends of soldier Dave Curnow have said that they have been left stunned and traumatised by his death after two men were handed life sentences for his murder.

Liam Laing, 21, from Brookside, Chacewater, and Connor Hammond, 21, from Trenoweth Estate, North Country, Redruth were today both given life sentences by judge Mr Justice Dingemans at Truro Crown Court and told that must serve 13 and a half and 16 years respectively.

Jailing Hammond and Laing Mr Justice Dingemans described the attack as “feral” and said that both men had punched and kicked Mr Curnow, from Illogan, at various stages.

Laing was handed the lesser sentence due to the fact that he had rang the police within an hour of the attack to admit his guilt in the effort to spare the Curnow family a trial.

He said: “Evidence shows Dave Curnow was an exceptional soldier in The Rifles and was taught to save his aggression for the battlefield.

“He has been described as decent and moral and much loved as a brother and a friend.

“Both Connor Hammond and Liam Laing played an equal part and both intended to cause serious bodily harm and despicably celebrated what they saw as victory afterwards.”

Liam Laing and Connor Hammond
Liam Laing and Connor Hammond

After the case, Detective Inspector Ben Beckerleg of Major Crime Investigation Team, said: "Offences like this are exceedingly rare in this area.

"This was not a case of a fight between young men but rather an unprovoked and cowardly attack by the two defendants upon the victim David Curnow.

"Both defendants carried out a violent, repeated assault that included kicking and punching David while he lay prone on the floor.

"David's family and friends have been extremely dignified throughout the investigation and the police wish to express their up-most condolences for the tragic loss of David."

Earlier in the trial the court heard for Laing and Hammond shook hands and embraced after examining his unconscious, bloody body.

Local footballer Dave Curnow was posted to Helmand province in March 2013 just days after turning 18 and survived a six-month tour that included several fire-fights.

Simon Laws QC for the Crown Prosecution Service told the court that the assault happened following a night out in Redruth last September, when Curnow and his friend Lee Griffiths were walking towards a kebab shop in Chapel Street when they were set upon by Laing and Hammond.

"It was Dave Curnow's bad luck that his path crossed with Mr Hammond and Mr Laing when they were in that mood and it resulted in two young men using unnecessary violence which caused the death of another young man," said Mr Laws.

"There was nothing to suggest Dave Curnow's path had crossed with Connor Hammond and Liam Laing that night, or any other night before the attack.

"Mr Hammond and Mr Laing were involved in trouble at Zone Nightclub that night which Dave Curnow had nothing to do with.

"Mr Curnow was a soldier home on leave and for him it was an ordinary night out, talking to people and socialising outside the club."

Mr Laws showed the court CCTV footage that showed Hammond and Laing involved in a fracas with local footballer Dario Pisano and his friends after being told that he had had an argument with Hammonds' brother Sam and his friend Sam Rosevear on the dancefloor.

Hammond and Laing were then asked to leave by the manager of Zone Nightclub and began drinking vodka from the bottle in the car park outside.

Mr Laws said the men were "looking for trouble as a pair" and that if it wasn't Dave Curnow they encountered, it could have just as easily have been someone else.

CCTV footage shown to the court revealed that Dave Curnow and Mr Griffiths were walking with their girlfriends and another friend towards the takeaway when they became separated as they were walking at a slower speed.

"Dave Curnow and Lee Griffiths were walking up Chapel Street when they noticed Liam Laing and Connor Hammond behind them," Mr Laws said.

"Liam Laing had taken his top off, looking like he was ready for a fight when there was some banter between the four about Laing being topless.

"Dave Curnow then made a light-hearted monkey gesture (in reference to Laing's chest hair) before he and Mr Griffiths walked on thinking it was over. It was a brief and meaningless encounter."

Mr Laws showed the court further CCTV footage which showed Liam Laing running towards Dave Curnow and striking him so hard he fell to the floor.

"Connor Hammond could have restrained Liam Laing, walked away or called the police but he did not do any of those things and instead walked over and joined in.

"Over the next three minutes both men assaulted the victim in various ways. Lee Griffiths tried to, but was unable to help and got hit himself."

The popular soldier also played football for his regiment and West Cornwall FC

Mr Laws told the court how Dave Curnow got up from the initial punch, but was pushed over again by Laing causing him to fall.

According to Mr Laws Laing then climbed either on top of or leant beside Dave Curnow and punched him while on the ground.

"Mr Curnow gets up again before Mr Hammond grabs him in a headlock and leads him into the road. He was an easy target while Mr Laing punches him once more.

"Mr Curnow and Mr Hammond then fell to the floor before Mr Griffiths is able to help Mr Curnow to his feet and the pair then attempt to stop a taxi but unfortunately the taxi drives on and the attack starts again."

Mr Laws then alleged that once the attack recommenced, Laing took the victim to the ground once more before both Hammond and Laing both assaulted Mr Curnow, kicking and punching his upper body before Laing appeared to stamp on him.

"CCTV shows Mr Hammond on top of Mr Curnow striking down in quick, jerky movements," he added.

"It was never going to be a fair fight and from the moment Mr Curnow was on the ground it was not a fight at all.

"Connor Hammond appears completely relaxed, while Liam Liang is bouncing around in excitement.

Dave Curnow
Dave Curnow

"They go back to take a look at Dave Curnow and Liam Laing bends down over him.

"Dave Curnow was already in a bad way, blood all over his face, unconscious and his breathing laboured.

"They shook hands and it looks like they were saying it was a job well done."

Dave Curnow was taken by ambulance to the Royal Cornwall Hospital before being transferred to Derriford Hospital in Plymouth where he died the following day.

Dave Curnow's death sent shockwaves through the local community and led to a number of emotional tributes, vigils and memorial events.