Josh Clarke, of Cotmanhay Road, was sentenced to a minimum of 12 years' imprisonment after a jury found him guilty of murdering Mr Collins, 36, outside Aldi supermarket in Bath Street in June 2008.

The 22-year-old had denied murder but admitted manslaughter.

Speaking outside Nottingham Crown Court, Mr Collins's parents, Mervyn and Yvonne, spoke of their anguish at having to wait 18 months for justice after a jury had failed to reach a verdict at the original trial in January.

Mrs Collins, 63, said: "We are pleased with this verdict.
"We are glad we have a decision after all this time but no sentence is long enough when a life has been taken with the violence Anthony suffered.

"We are happy with the sentence and relieved it's all over before Christmas.

"But like last Christmas, Anthony will be greatly missed – he was always the life and soul, always getting the cards out for a game."
Mr Collins, 68, said: "There'll be a space laid out for him on Christmas Day at our house."

Anthony's sister Amanda Collins, 36, said: "The support we've received from the police, the coroners, the paramedics, Victim Support and all our family and friends has been overwhelming."

Detective Superintendent Tony Blockley, of Derbyshire Constabulary said: "All our thoughts are with the Collins family for their loss and thankfully the jury has reached a verdict at this time."

Clarke, who was described in court as a "vindictive, angry thug", killed Mr Collins after attacking him following an argument outside a Bath Street takeaway in the early hours of Friday, June 6, 2008.

On Wednesday last week, after nearly five hours of deliberation, the jury of 12 people returned a ten to two majority verdict of murder.

Judge John Milmo said: "You decided to teach Anthony Collins a lesson
"You went too far – you couldn't leave well alone and continued the assault.

"Mrs Collins can see you and your friends here, but what about her own son?"

In mitigation, Orlando Pownall said of Clarke: "He is ravished by remorse, not self-pity.

"He regrets what he did and he admitted manslaughter at the earliest opportunity."

Clarke's sentence will be reviewed in 12 years' time.