A TEENAGER accused of a "one punch" manslaughter of a father-of-two has this morning been found guilty.
Aaron Hayes, now aged 20, accepted his actions led to the death of married Spencer Freeman, 42.
Teesside Crown Court had heard that Hayes' innocent victim died from head injuries after being punched outside The Grenadier pub in Acklam, Middlesbrough, on April 9.
Hayes, of Topcliffe Road, Thornaby, had denied manslaughter.
Sentence was adjourned.
The jury earlier heard that Mr Freeman suffered a fractured skull, haemorrhage and brain damage after hitting his head on the pavement.
Sarah Mallett, prosecuting, said Hayes appeared to be looking for trouble when he joined an argument involving Mr Freeman's sister-in-law outside the pub.
Mr Freeman, who was a regular at The Grenadier, and was captain and treasurer of the darts team, went outside with his relative, and was immediately followed by Hayes who was acting "rather aggressively" having been drinking since 8am that morning and taking cocaine.
Earlier in the evening, Hayes - then aged 19 - was cautione by police after being involved in trouble at a service station at Wetherby as he returned up the A1 having watched his team Middlesbrough play Sheffield United.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article