A young man who had never before been in trouble was yesterday convicted of killing a grandfather.

Neil Hunter reports.

THE death of Cliff Palmer was a classic and tragic tale of a person being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

He was a creature of habit whose ordinary Friday night routine would not have put him at the scene of his attack.

He would have been on his way home in a taxi shortly after 12.30am had his usual driver not been on a fare to Yarm, near Stockton.

Instead, Mr Palmer had to call for a cab as he left a town centre pub in Newton Aycliffe, County Durham, and was walking towards a rank when he was attacked.

He was the victim of a random assault by a young man fuelled by drink and said to be angry following a row with his girlfriend.

Mr Palmer, a greatgrandfather and father-oftwo, never regained consciousness, and died the following day.

His attacker, Michael Kelly, a 21-year-old factory worker, was yesterday convicted of his manslaughter, and now awaits sentencing.

During a ten-day trial, Teesside Crown Court heard witnesses talk fondly of the 73-year-old, who still worked as a self-employed roofer.

Mr Palmer had just left Blakes, in Newton Aycliffe, when he was punched to the side of the head by Mr Kelly.

Blakes licensee Michael Evers described Mr Palmer as “a nice old bloke” who enjoyed a bit of banter with him and his staff, and was often let in free.

He said the grandfather was “a creature of habit”

who would usually call in at about 11.30pm on a Friday after earlier drinking in the nearby Legion.

His usual routine was to call at the pub for “a couple of drinks and a bit of a dance”, said Mr Evers, before getting a regular taxi driver to take him home.

Doorman David Summerill described Mr Palmer as “an absolute gentleman” who never caused any trouble.

He often tipped door staff and cloakroom staff, of which Mr Summerill said in a statement: “It is very rare and was very much appreciated.”

Mr Palmer’s family sobbed in the public gallery when details of the case were outlined, and when witnesses spoke of him in glowing terms.

They shouted “yes” and then cried with relief when the foreman of the jury announced its verdict yesterday afternoon.

Afterwards, they simply said: “Justice has been done.”