Man cleared of killing a dad celebrating son's birthday

A man has been cleared of causing the death of a dad who was killed during a night out celebrating his son's 19th birthday.

Scott Brannen smashed his head on the pavement after Daniel Ree ran at him "like Linford Christie" and landed a "maximum force blow" with his fistthat caused catastrophic injuries in the early hours of August 21 last year.

The 40-year-old devoted dad never recovered from the head trauma and,despite surgical intervention, he died in hospital on September 8.

The shocking city centre attack was caught on CCTV and the footage has been played to jurors at Newcastle Crown Court.

Ree, 22, of Brecon Close, Newbiggen Hall, has admitted manslaughter andaffray and is awaiting sentence.

After a trial at Newcastle Crown Court Jordon Craggs, 22, of FinsmerePlace, Slatyford, who prosecutors claim kicked Mr Brannen when he was on the ground, was cleared of manslaughter but found guilty of affray by a jury.

Both men will be sentenced together by Mrs Justice Simler later this week.

Prosecutor Mark Giuliani told the court Mr Brannen was on a night out withfamily and friends celebrating the 19th birthday of his son, who is alsocalled Scott.

The group had been in Rusty's bar at Times Square in Newcastle city centrebut had been asked to leave after a "fracas" broke out with Ree and Craggs'group, who were also told to go.

The court heard it was when the men were in the street outside that MrBrannen received the deadly "flying punch" from Ree.

A doorman who witnessed the trouble said in a statement:

Prosecutors say Craggs launched "at least two" kicks at Mr Brannen as helay injured.

Members of the public, including Mr Brannen's own son, gave him assistance in the street before he was taken to hospital by ambulance.

He died as a result of bronchial pneumonia which developed as a result of the severe head injury.