The father-in-law of a man killed in a random attack by a violent alcoholic has spoken out about the killer’s sentence being halved.

Michael Broom, 50, of Rhodrons Avenue, Hook, punched father-of-four Mark Haley once in a “petty dispute” outside Tesco in Hook Parade on August 21, 2011 and was charged with grievous bodily harm for the assault.

Mr Haley spent two years in a coma before dying at the Royal Hospital for Neuro-Disability in Putney on August 28 last year, leading to a fresh investigation into a manslaughter charge for Broom.

Judge Richard Hone QC, sentenced Broom to two years in prison for manslaughter on December 22 only to reduce the sentence to just one year the following day.

David Davies, Mr Haley’s father-in-law, said: “By the time Michael Broom is released from prison he will have served a total of 37 months for the crime.

“Is this what a life in Britain is worth these days, three years one month?”

BT engineer Mr Haley had only been out to buy a pint of milk when he was assaulted and was airlifted to hospital after suffering injuries from the punch that caused him to fall backward and hit his head on a pole.

Broom, also a father, was known in the area for being “the local drunk” and had drunk two cans of alcohol on the day of the attack.

He had also taken his shirt off before launching the punch.

Broom will serve at least six months in jail before being released on licence.

Mr Davies said: “Without explanation or without informing the police or Mark Haley’s family the judge reduced the sentence to one year, of which Michael Broom will serve 6 months. “How could this happen?

“What has happened to British justice?”

Until 1996 if someone died more than a year and a day after an attack their assailant could not be charged with murder or manslaughter.