A MAN who stabbed his cousin in a violent family feud has been convicted of murder and two others involved were found guilty of manslaughter.

A jury at Teesside Court unanimously found Kieran Ibitson, 21, guilty of stabbing Steven Willis to death during a confrontation in Normanby, near Middlesbrough, following a family funeral.

Ibitson, who struck the fatal blow, had pleaded guilty to wounding with intent for stabbing his uncle, John Pickering, during the same confrontation on April 16.

Mr Willis, 27, died after being stabbed through the heart.

Ibitson, of Beresford Crescent, was one of five men from Middlesbrough on trial at Teesside Crown Court for three weeks over Mr Willis’ death and injuries inflicted to others involved in the fight.

After three day’s of deliberation, the jury returned to give their verdicts today.

As well as the guilty verdicts for Ibitson, the jury also found cousins Dominic Pickering, 23, of Grinkle Avenue, and Mark Pickering, 32, of Greenham Close, guilty of manslaughter, but not guilty of murder.

Two other men present at the fracas, Jack Cross, 21, of Olney Walk, and Jahmal Weaver, 22, of Rounton Green, were cleared of all charges.

Speaking before the verdicts were delivered, High Court Judge Mr Justice Males addressed the packed public gallery, saying he was grateful for the restraint shown by those present during the proceedings.

There were gasps and sobs from relatives of the victim and the accused in court when the verdicts were read out by the jury foreman.

Sentencing of the three men is set to take place tomorrow afternoon.

Speaking after the verdicts, Det Insp Mark Dimelow of Cleveland Police said: “Steven Willis was brutally murdered after family tensions boiled over and later erupted outside his father’s home.

“Kieran Ibitson was armed with a knife and was intent on causing serious injury to those at this address.

"He had gathered a group together to help him carry out his violence.

"Sadly, as a result, Steven Willis lost his life and his children have lost their father.

“His family have been left devastated and I hope that today’s outcome provides some comfort to them, though it will never bring him back.

“I hope that they may now move forward with their lives knowing that those responsible for his death have been convicted and now face sentencing."