A MAN of 20 was sentenced to a year's custody after a pensioner died when he let off a firework in Huddersfield bus station.

Anton Corion-Auguiste lit the device, described as an `airbomb', during rush-hour, Leeds Crown Court heard.

As the group of youths he was with fled, 84-year-old Marie Wood, of Newsome, was knocked over and hit her head on the floor.

She died in Huddersfield Royal Infirmary after the incident on November 7, 2002.

Corion-Auguiste, of Springwood Avenue, Springwood, gave himself up to police four days later.

He was found guilty of manslaughter by a jury.

Sentencing him yesterday to 12 months in a young offenders' institution, Mr Justice Henriques said: "You have immaculately kept yourself out of trouble and you have pursued an academic career that was not without success.

"It is a tragedy that by reason of this highly foolish and irresponsible act you find yourself in this predicament.

"You expressed your bitter regret, both at the police station and on oath in court.

"From your manner and demeanour it was clear to me that you felt this was a foolishly reckless act on your part and you were clearly upset by the tragic outcome," the judge added.

"I feel obliged to pass a custodial sentence to mark the fact that a lady did lose her life as a result of your unlawful act.

In mitigation, Mr Julian Goose QC said of Corion- Auguiste: "He went to the police station, he volunteered his presence at a time when the police did not know that he was involved. They did not have any idea at all.

"He could have just fled away and denied being there and playing a part in it.

"He is fundamentally a good young man, but on November 7 he, through stupidity, took part in mischief that went tragically wrong.

"He knows he will bear that for the rest of his life."

The court heard that Corion-Auguiste had been brandishing an unlit firework in the bus station.

He then lit the firework.

He threatened the group of people he was with and "jabbed at them" with it, causing them to flee.

In the ensuing panic, Mrs Wood, who was fit and healthy, was knocked over.

She staggered and fell backwards, striking her head on the floor.