Who is Neil Elliott? Niramax boss found guilty of the manslaughter of Michael Phillips

Neil Elliott was cleared of murder but found guilty of manslaughter after 39-year-old Mr Phillips was beaten to death in his home in Hartlepool’s Rydal Street in June 2019.

During the trial, jurors were told about two very different sides to the well-known businessman.

He was described as a community-spirited charity supporter but also as a man who recruited a gang to hand out ‘mob justice’ when his daughter’s car was stolen.

After two days of deliberations co-accused Lee Darby, 32, of Ridley Court, was found guilty of murder and Anthony Small, 40, of Rydal Street, was found guilty of manslaughter.

All three are due to be sentenced at Teesside Crown Court on Wednesday, March 4.

Four other men charged with murder have been cleared of all wrongdoing. Gary Jackson, Craig Thorpe, John Musgrave and Sean Musgrave are expected to walk free from court on Tuesday, March 3.

Elliott, 44, was also found guilty of assault occasioning bodily harm.

But who is Neil Elliott?

The Niramax boss Neil Elliott came from humble beginnings to live in one of the biggest houses in Hartlepool, in Briarfields Close, the court heard.

The 44 years old, who had been married for 12 years, owns an energy company, Seneca Global Energy Limited, and a waste management company, Niramax.

Jurors were told he employs approximately 150 people.

He left school aged 16 with no qualifications and went on to study computer aided design at college.

Teesside Crown Court heard how Elliott has an interest in Rugby Union - in particular his affiliation to West Hartlepool which he has helped financially.

Elliott would regularly be seen in the Hartlepool press for his charitable work, sponsoring things like Butterwick Hospice and Hartlepool Families First.

What happened on June 10, 2019?

Mr Phillips died after suffering more than 50 injuries inside a house in Rydal Street in the town on Monday, June 10, following a burglary at the home of Elliott’s daughters’ where a car and cash were stolen.

While Elliott was giving evidence and declaring his innocence, Mr Johnson QC said to Elliot : “A man died and you were telling police you wished to fully cooperate.

“You said you were shocked and devastated and couldn’t stop thinking about what his family were going through.

“I suggest this was cheap, because every single one of your actions on June 10 have been aimed at achieving the opposite.

“Your aim was to cause life-changing harm to that burglar and to do that recruited a team to do that.

“Because this was your daughters’ house that was burgled, this was personal, so you made sure you gave him a kick yourself.”

Elliott denied this and responded “No” to all of Mr Johnson’s questioning.

What happened after Mr Phillips was killed?

The court heard how the day after Elliott went to Coventry for an arranged meeting.

He said he went to Coventry with the ‘sole purpose’ of getting his head straight because he was scared.

Elliott was arrested in Coventry.