Hartlepool man found guilty of manslaughter of Norman Ryan but cleared of murder at Teesside Crown Court

Kieran Pots, 24, was cleared of the murder of 55-year-old Norman Ryan after an incident in Troutpool Close, Hartlepool, on August 31 last year.

But a jury convicted him of the lesser offence of manslaughter on Friday morning after a nine-day trial at Teesside Crown Court.

Mr Ryan, who was a heavy drinker and described in court as vulnerable, suffered brain injuries in the assault and died in hospital nine days later.

Potts, of Moffat Road, Hartlepool, who claimed he acted in self defence, will be sentenced on Thursday, August 31 – a year to the day since the attack.

The trial heard how Potts assaulted Mr Ryan after spending the day drinking with Mr Ryan in his flat.

But he told Potts to leave after he and his father, Carl Potts, had an argument where punches were thrown.

Potts claimed he punched Mr Ryan once in self defence, causing him to bang his head on a door frame.

But a medical expert said Mr Ryan suffered multiple blows to the head.

Blood and impacted skin matching Mr Ryan’s DNA was found on the toe of Potts’ right trainer, indicating he kicked Mr Ryan when he was lying bleeding and injured.

A neighbour of Mr Ryan’s, Tamsyn Ainsbury, told the jury she heard Potts say “I’ve just knocked Norman out” when he shouted after his father in the street.

The prosecution said it proved he had already attacked Mr Ryan, who was discovered badly injured by Carl Potts when he returned to check on him at around 6.30pm.

Following the assault, Potts went to a shop and bought a case of beer.

The trial heard he also changed his tracksuit and that the original was never discovered.

The court heard Mr Ryan was alcohol dependent and members of his family were concerned about his drinking and others attending his flat to drink.

They described him as a loving son, dad, brother, uncle and grandfather with “a heart of gold”.

The Recorder of Middlesbrough Judge Paul Watson told Potts prison is inevitable.

He was remanded in custody.

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