Fury as Gosforth one-punch killer who robbed loved son Trevor Reid of his life launches bid to appeal his sentence

One-punch killer Michael Johnson has launched a bid to get his prison sentence cut. The 29-year-old was jailed for five years and three months in August after pleading guilty to killing Trevor Reid outside a pub in Gosforth.

The court of appeal has now confirmed that permission to appeal the sentence handed to Johnson by Newcastle Crown Court has been applied for on his behalf. And today Trevor's sister has told of her anger that his killer believes he has been locked up for too long.

Chantelle Reid, 37, said: "He's got no compassion. It's like saying my brother's life wasn't worth anything. It just shows he's got no remorse for taking someone's life. He should just do his sentence."

Trevor Reid had been out in Gosforth, Newcastle, celebrating his mum’s 60th birthday when he crossed paths with Johnson, who was out celebrating the birth of his brother’s baby. The two men clashed after Johnson took umbrage at Trevor resting his arm on his shoulder.

Newcastle Crown Court heard Johnson was outside The Gosforth Hotel pub when he saw Trevor, 36, was making his way towards the exit. He caught him by surprise with a full-force punch to the jaw, which knocked him unconscious and caused him to fall backwards. Trevor hit his head on a step and suffered unsurvivable brain injuries.

Johnson made no attempt to help the stricken victim, walking off up Salters Road with two friends, accepting a handshake and a pat on the back. Trevor was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.

Johnson, of Rydal Road, Gosforth, pleaded guilty to manslaughter in connection with the attack, which happened just after midnight on on September 11, 2022. He was sentenced last month.

"He should get more not less. He should be grateful he got that sentence. It's disgusting for taking someone's life," Chantelle added. "I just want justice for my brother.

Trevor had struggled with drink and drugs when he was younger, but in the months before he died he had kicked these habits and had been working as a handyman, doing everything from scaffolding to scrap collection, his family said.

“He was a hard-working man, he did scaffolding, painting and everything. You name it, he could do it,” Chantelle, who also works as a scaffolder and builder, said in June. “Me and my brother were very close, we were two peas in a pod. He was always smiling, he was very outgoing, he had loads of friends. He tried to keep out of trouble, but trouble would go to him.”

Trevor's mum Sharron has also previously paid tribute to her son. The 61-year-old told ChronicleLive: "He was brilliant, everyone loved him, if you met him you would love him. I still can’t believe that he’s not coming back.”

A spokeswoman for the court of appeal said: "We have received an application for permission to appeal sentence on behalf of this person. This is still in the very early stages."