by Keith Hunt

A teenager who killed a man with a single punch during a row outside a pub has been cleared of manslaughter after claiming he acted in self-defence.

Sam Beaney struck 45-year-old Michael Beaumont to the side of his face, causing him to fall backwards and hit his head on the ground.

A jury at Maidstone Crown Court heard the impact fractured Mr Beaumont's skull and he died in hospital 12 days later.

Beaney, of Knights Way, Headcorn, was not part of the initial row between his friends, Mr Beaumont and his partner, Deborah Wenham, near the Royal Mail pub in Park Street, Lydd, in the early hours of May 22.

But Dominic Connolly, prosecuting, said several witnesses later told police they saw Beaney, who was 17 at the time, walk up behind the two men arguing with Mr Beaumont and his partner and punch him.

Beaney, now 18, denied the charge. The jury took just over an hour to find him not guilty.

Judge Jeremy Carey said it was unfortunate teenagers had been permitted to drink while under age and were in various stages of intoxication on the streets late at night.