A killer who stabbed a 'much-loved' dad to loss of life in entrance of his companion has been cleared of homicide however convicted of manslaughter.
Tony Nichol, 36, had simply left his pal's flat along with his girlfriend when he was knifed by Andrew Somerville, 42, who lived within the flat block.
Somerville stabbed Mr Nichol within the chest and aspect, inflicting a "catastrophic" harm from which he died, Chronicle Stay stories.
Somerville had claimed that he was performing in self-defence.
A jury at Newcastle Crown Court docket discovered him not responsible of homicide however responsible to manslaughter.
He can be sentenced on a date to be mounted.
It was on the afternoon of December 9, 2021, that Mr Nichol and his girlfriend went to go to pal, Mark Wright, and his companion on the highest ground of a block of flats at Columbia Grange, Kenton, Newcastle.
The courtroom heard Somerville lived within the flat beneath Mr Wright.
Later that evening, after they had been leaving, coming down stairs and going previous Somerville's flat, Mr Nichol was stabbed.
His companion mentioned they had been laughing and carrying on as they made their manner down a communal staircase earlier than the accidents had been inflicted.
Through the trial, prosecutor Caroline Goodwin QC mentioned: "Tony Nichol suffered numerous sharp power accidents, ie stab wounds, together with within the left aspect of his chest and his left flank, ie left aspect. The wound to his chest was catastrophic and it triggered blood loss round his coronary heart and into his chest cavity.
"He would have been able to significant motion for only some minutes, most, after the infliction of that stab wound. Having made it downstairs he collapsed exterior the block of flats." Regardless of efforts by his companion and medics, Mr Nichol died.
The courtroom heard each males had their issues and had been drug customers who knew one another and had beforehand crossed paths in jail.
Jurors had been informed "the very fact there was slightly historical past between them seems to have reared its head within the latest months main as much as this tragic occasion".
Detective Chief Inspector Joanne Brooks, who led the investigation welcomed the result of the case.
Det Chief Insp Brooks mentioned: “Our ideas stay with Tony's household throughout this troublesome time. I wish to commend their bravery all through this investigation and I hope right this moment's final result might help give them solace that justice has been introduced for his or her much-loved dad, son and brother."
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