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Man cleared of killing new father | Man cleared of killing new father |
(about 3 hours later) | |
An ex-boxer has been cleared of manslaughter after a man died while out celebrating the birth of his third child. | An ex-boxer has been cleared of manslaughter after a man died while out celebrating the birth of his third child. |
Neil Edwards, 39, died nine days after being punched by Paul Humphreys, 35, after a row in a Wrexham pub car park, Mold Crown Court heard. | Neil Edwards, 39, died nine days after being punched by Paul Humphreys, 35, after a row in a Wrexham pub car park, Mold Crown Court heard. |
But Mr Humphreys, of Gwersyllt, denied manslaughter and assaulting another man, claiming he acted in self defence. | But Mr Humphreys, of Gwersyllt, denied manslaughter and assaulting another man, claiming he acted in self defence. |
Jury members accepted that the punch was not unlawful and cleared him. | Jury members accepted that the punch was not unlawful and cleared him. |
Judge John Rogers QC told him that he could be discharged from the dock and he wept as he left the court chamber. | Judge John Rogers QC told him that he could be discharged from the dock and he wept as he left the court chamber. |
The prosecution had said that Neil Edwards, who married wife Dawn in 1994, had been enjoying himself with his brother Wayne and a friend, wetting his new son's head after the birth 13 days before. | The prosecution had said that Neil Edwards, who married wife Dawn in 1994, had been enjoying himself with his brother Wayne and a friend, wetting his new son's head after the birth 13 days before. |
He also had a nine-year-old son and a five-year-old daughter with wife Dawn. | He also had a nine-year-old son and a five-year-old daughter with wife Dawn. |
But as he left the Acton Park Hotel on 26 September he was punched to the face in the rear car park. | But as he left the Acton Park Hotel on 26 September he was punched to the face in the rear car park. |
He dropped instantly to the concrete car park without breaking his fall, and suffered severe head injuries, the court was told. | He dropped instantly to the concrete car park without breaking his fall, and suffered severe head injuries, the court was told. |
Witnesses heard a "sickening thud" as his head struck the ground. | Witnesses heard a "sickening thud" as his head struck the ground. |
His brain was swollen and damaged, there was a large blood clot, his skull was fractured and the Airbus worker died nine days later. | His brain was swollen and damaged, there was a large blood clot, his skull was fractured and the Airbus worker died nine days later. |
'Friends' | 'Friends' |
Mr Humphreys was cleared of his manslaughter and also of assaulting Wayne Edwards one and a half hours after the jury retired to consider the verdicts. | Mr Humphreys was cleared of his manslaughter and also of assaulting Wayne Edwards one and a half hours after the jury retired to consider the verdicts. |
Jury members accepted that Mr Humphreys was defending himself. | Jury members accepted that Mr Humphreys was defending himself. |
He had told the jury that he had not boxed for some 10 years and claimed he reacted instinctively with a straight jab "which was not forceful" when he alleged Neil Edwards took a swing at him. | He had told the jury that he had not boxed for some 10 years and claimed he reacted instinctively with a straight jab "which was not forceful" when he alleged Neil Edwards took a swing at him. |
He said that he had gone to ask why he and his brother had been "running him down" all night. | |
He heard him crack his head on the ground and thought "oh no". | He heard him crack his head on the ground and thought "oh no". |
The court heard how Mr Humphreys used to train at a boxing club, had trained with Wayne Edwards and knew him from work at Airbus. | The court heard how Mr Humphreys used to train at a boxing club, had trained with Wayne Edwards and knew him from work at Airbus. |
He said he had also played golf with Neil Edwards in the past and considered him and his brother friends. | He said he had also played golf with Neil Edwards in the past and considered him and his brother friends. |
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