A STUDENT murdered at a New Year’s Eve party has been remembered by his parents as a “gentle, kind, young man”.

Billy Henham was beaten unconscious, stripped naked and thrown off a balcony at a disused building in Brighton on January 1, 2020.

The 24-year-old, from Henfield, suffered 11 rib fractures, extensive bruising to his scalp and injuries to his face, neck and brain.

He was also struck with a broken wooden stair spindle.

Gregory Hawley, 28, Dushane Meikle, 27, Lamech Gordon-Carew, 20, and 18-year-old Alize Spence have all been found guilty of murder.

The four men will be sentenced at a later date.

Speaking after the verdict was announced, Billy’s parents Ian and Debbie Henham broke down in tears as they paid tribute to their son.

"He was a gentle, kind, young man. He was interested in film and loved making films,” Mr Henham said.

"He had a wide circle of friends who loved him, and we have been having messages from them regularly saying they miss his caring face and happy smiles.

"Today doesn't bring Billy back and that is the biggest loss, the tragic loss of our son.

"We will have to live with that and carry that for the rest of our years. But it is important we have justice."

The Argus: Billy Henham was beaten unconscious, stripped naked and thrown off a balcony at a disused building in Brighton on January 1, 2020 Billy Henham was beaten unconscious, stripped naked and thrown off a balcony at a disused building in Brighton on January 1, 2020

Senior investigating officer Detective Superintendent Alex Gelhart said her team of officers had “never given up hope” of justice for Billy.

"Billy went out on New Year's Eve, a young man of 24, with a tenner in his pocket and his dad's mobile phone number written on a piece of paper in his pocket, to enjoy new year," she said.

"Within a matter of hours his life was taken from him cruelly and senselessly by the four men who have not shown a shred of remorse at any time."

Billy, who studied at Ravensbourne University in London, had spent Christmas with his family but wanted to see in the new year in a “lively” atmosphere, the court was previously told.

The final sighting of Billy was at 4.30am in All Sorts off-licence in North Street, diagonally opposite the squat where a New Year's Eve party was held.

His body, which had been dropped over balcony railings from a height of nearly 11ft, was discovered by police the following day.

Forensic experts discovered disinfectant in his hair while bloodstained areas where he had been beaten appeared to have been “diluted”, the court heard.

The jury was told that while his injuries would have rendered him unconscious, Billy would have been alive for at least an hour after the violent attack.

When Meikle was arrested in Hove six days later, police found two deleted photos on his phone of Billy’s body on the roof terrace.