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'Poem' teenager cleared of murder 'Poem' teenager cleared of murder
(30 minutes later)
A teenager branded a killer in a poem displayed around a city centre has been cleared of murdering a father-of-two.A teenager branded a killer in a poem displayed around a city centre has been cleared of murdering a father-of-two.
A jury found that Nathan Dixon, 18, did not cause the death of Paul Kelly, 32, who was repeatedly stabbed in an alley in Bath on 1 January last year. A jury found Nathan Dixon, 18, did not cause the death of Paul Kelly, 32, who was repeatedly stabbed in an alley in Bath on 1 January last year.
During the trial at Bristol Crown Court the prosecution said Mr Dixon, of Cox Lee Drive, Bath, had launched into a "frenzied attack" on Mr Kelly. During the trial at Bristol Crown Court the prosecution said Mr Dixon, of Coxley Drive, Bath, had launched into a "frenzied attack" on Mr Kelly.
The jury accepted the defence argument that witnesses were unreliable.The jury accepted the defence argument that witnesses were unreliable.
As the majority verdict was delivered after more than nine hours of deliberations, Mr Kelly's family stormed out of court in tears. As the majority verdict was delivered after more than nine hours of deliberations, Mr Kelly's family stormed out of court.
'No justice'
Mr Kelly's father, Paul, banged his fists on the pillars of the public gallery and shouted: "No justice. I knew... I would never get it."Mr Kelly's father, Paul, banged his fists on the pillars of the public gallery and shouted: "No justice. I knew... I would never get it."
More than 20 people were thought to have seen the brawl which resulted in Mr Kelly being stabbed at the Longacre Tavern. We are not looking for anyone else in connection with the murder Det Supt Nigel Rock
More than 20 people were thought to have seen the brawl which resulted in Mr Kelly being stabbed at the Longacre Tavern in London Road.
But in the months following the attack police said they had hit a "wall of silence" from witnesses who were known to have been at the pub on the night.But in the months following the attack police said they had hit a "wall of silence" from witnesses who were known to have been at the pub on the night.
A poem by an unknown author which appeared on bus stops and lampposts near the scene claimed Mr Dixon was the killer and that the knife had been thrown in the River Avon.A poem by an unknown author which appeared on bus stops and lampposts near the scene claimed Mr Dixon was the killer and that the knife had been thrown in the River Avon.
In the poem, titled Running From Paul Kelly, the murder was described as "black on white", suggesting a racist motive.In the poem, titled Running From Paul Kelly, the murder was described as "black on white", suggesting a racist motive.
Defence dismissal
The poet, who did not sign his work, described how he and other witnesses were threatened but were ashamed that "we turned our backs".The poet, who did not sign his work, described how he and other witnesses were threatened but were ashamed that "we turned our backs".
But with no one coming forward as the author, the poem was not mentioned by prosecutors as Mr Dixon stood trial. His defence would later dismiss it during proceedings. 'Extremely disappointed'
Mr Kelly, a Glaswegian who had lived in Bath for some time, was with a group of friends at the pub in London Road, when an argument broke out, the court heard. The poem was not mentioned by prosecutors but the defence later dismissed it during proceedings.
Mr Kelly, a Glaswegian who had lived in Bath for some time, was with a group of friends at the pub when an argument broke out, the court heard.
Mr Dixon's defence claimed Mr Kelly had been shouting racist taunts before the attack.Mr Dixon's defence claimed Mr Kelly had been shouting racist taunts before the attack.
After the verdict, Det Supt Nigel Rock of Avon and Somerset Police said: "We are extremely disappointed at the outcome of today's court proceedings.
"Not only for the investigation team which has worked tirelessly since the murder but also, more importantly, for Paul Kelly's family who have always remained supportive of the police investigation.
"Detectives spoke to a significant number of people as part of the inquiry but there were people who refused to come forward to give evidence for reasons only known to them.
"We are not looking for anyone else in connection with the murder."