Kirkpatrick Virgo struck Thomas Parker, 24, after the pair argued over loud music from a boombox speaker on a train.

The 42-year-old, from Slough, was found guilty of murder on Wednesday at Reading Crown Court.

He has been jailed for more than 21 years.

The victim's father, Steven Parker, described his son as a "lover not a fighter" and that "everything went black" as he saw him lying on the platform at Reading station.

"Every parent's worst nightmare was about to unfold in front of us," he told the court.

Mr Parker's brother Craig Parker, who chased and tackled Virgo to the ground, had rung his parents to tell them of the attack.

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"We approached in fear, hoping in our hearts we would be able to take Tom home with us, or at least take him to hospital where he could receive medical treatment. We could not be more wrong," Mr Parker continued.

An earlier altercation on a train between the Parker brothers and one of Virgo's friends had been ended by off-duty police officers. But when arriving at Reading station, Virgo followed the brothers.

Removing a heavy metallic horseshoe from his rucksack, he hit Thomas Parker on the head.

Before the incident, Mr Parker had been promoted to deputy greenkeeper at a golf green.