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| Shane Tunney murder trial: Two guilty of 'savage' killing | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Two men have been found guilty of the "savage" street murder of a man who was "kicked like a football". | |
| Shane Tunney, 24, died after he was attacked by a gang on Norton High Street in Stockton, as he went to buy pizza last June. | |
| Kearan Terry Davis and Kieran Harry Davis, both 18, had denied killing him. | Kearan Terry Davis and Kieran Harry Davis, both 18, had denied killing him. |
| Jake Douglas, Brandon Pitt, and Daniel Hunt, all 18, and two other teenagers who cannot be named, were cleared of murder but convicted of manslaughter. | Jake Douglas, Brandon Pitt, and Daniel Hunt, all 18, and two other teenagers who cannot be named, were cleared of murder but convicted of manslaughter. |
| In a statement, Mr Tunney's family said he had had "more of a life in his 24 years than many will within a lifetime". | |
| "He was one of the most kind-hearted, selfless people you could ever meet, he was a blessing within our lives and to anyone that knew him and he will never be replaced," they said. | |
| The seven are due to be sentenced next month. | |
| They were also convicted of attacking Mr Tunney's friend Anthony Kirk, who was with him at the time. | They were also convicted of attacking Mr Tunney's friend Anthony Kirk, who was with him at the time. |
| Teesside Crown Court heard the pair had been at a cash machine when they were pelted with waste food by a group on the roof of an adjoining Tesco store. | Teesside Crown Court heard the pair had been at a cash machine when they were pelted with waste food by a group on the roof of an adjoining Tesco store. |
| Soon after, they were confronted by the group and attacked. | Soon after, they were confronted by the group and attacked. |
| 'Acted in a pack' | |
| One witness described Mr Tunney being "kicked - like they were kicking footballs at a goal" while Mr Kirk was beaten with a pole. | One witness described Mr Tunney being "kicked - like they were kicking footballs at a goal" while Mr Kirk was beaten with a pole. |
| The court heard Mr Tunney managed to escape but, having flagged down a passing taxi, changed his mind and went back to help his friend, only to be attacked again. | The court heard Mr Tunney managed to escape but, having flagged down a passing taxi, changed his mind and went back to help his friend, only to be attacked again. |
| He was left in a coma and died in hospital five weeks later. | He was left in a coma and died in hospital five weeks later. |
| His partner Vix Cooper, said: "Once the sedation had been taken off, I remember he looked at me and we made eye contact. | |
| "For the first time he lifted his arm up and he held my hand and I saw a tear come down his cheek." | "For the first time he lifted his arm up and he held my hand and I saw a tear come down his cheek." |
| Following the verdict, Cleveland Police said in a statement: "Those responsible acted in a pack, carefully coordinating their attack on Shane and Anthony. | |
| "They were viciously assaulted with a metal bar for no reason. The victims were simply going to pick up food and did not ask for a fight. | |
| "The group have now been held to account for their appalling actions and they will spend a lengthy time in prison. | |
| "Nothing will ever bring Shane back, however, hopefully the outcome of today will provide some level of comfort to Shane's family and friends and to Anthony." |