A killer has started a life sentence more than five years after a father-of-three was hacked to death in a brutal attack on a Kent promenade.

Guljinder Singh Gurewal initially fled abroad - but will now remain behind bars for at least 13 years.

Imposing the minimum sentence on Friday, Judge Andrew Patience, QC, said what he did was "utterly wicked", stabbing 31-year-old Kamaljit Kalon 24 times on Gordon Promenade in Gravesend on a warm summer's day on July 10, 2003.

The judge added: "This is yet another case, albeit that it occurred five years ago, that a death has been brought about needlessly by the use of a knife.

"It is the duty of the courts to take every opportunity to express their revulsion and abhorrence of the use of knives in this country and that somehow steps will be taken in the future to stop this."

Gurewal, 33, of no fixed address fled with another suspect after the killing to Italy. Gurewal returned in December last year and admitted his guilt.

The revenge attack happened after the victim, who was married and from Sidcup, had become obsessed with another man's wife and had assaulted her.

Maidstone Crown Court heard that Mr Kalon first produced the knife but Gurewal grabbed it and stabbed him with it "again and again" in front of people on the promenade, including children.

Det Supt Anne Brittain, who led the murder inquiry said: "We are committed and determined that this case will remain open until all those responsible are brought to justice."