RELATIVES and friends of a Widnes man reacted with anger at Chester Crown Court as a man was acquitted of murder.
Liam McCann, of Brunner Street, had denied murdering 20-year-old Alan Davies in a violent incident out-side one of the town's nightclubs.
But when the not guilty verdict was announced, Mr Davies' family and friends protested loudly and were in uproar as 20-year-old McCann was found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm, but acquitted of murder.
Witnesses had told Chester Crown Court how they saw McCann repeatedly banging Mr Davies's head on the ground, but following the incident, a friend driving him to hospital crashed into a wall, causing Mr Davies to sustain head injuries.
During the three-week trial, the jury heard from forensic experts who explained it was impossible to know which incident had caused the brain damage that led to Mr Davies' death but David Aubrey, QC, defending, said it was agreed that McCann had caused external injuries to the victim.
Robin Spencer, prosecuting, said McCann had a previous conviction for assault, which was 'reminiscent of the present case', when he assaulted a man outside a Warrington nightclub when he was 17.
He had another conviction for assault and another for being drunk and disorderly.
In mitigation, Mr Aubrey told the judge McCann had suffered a tragic incident at the age of 14 when his father was murdered, highlighting the lack of paternal support.
Judge Elgan Edwards, honorary recorder of Cheshire, noted because of the complex medical issues, the jury's verdict on the murder charge was correct and he did not hold McCann responsible for Mr Davies' death, although he had caused the victim serious harm.
But the judge added McCann was 'fighting drunk' and witnesses had told how he emitted a 'roar of triumph' when he left Mr Davies lying unconscious.
As the court erupted after the not guilty verdict was announced, Judge Edwards warned that anyone who caused a scene would immediately be arrested and jailed for contempt.
He said: 'The scenes when the verdict was announced were quite disgraceful and I am not having this court turned into a bear garden.'
