Danny Humble murder: One teen guilty of murder and four guilty of manslaughter for Cramlington death
One teenager has been found guilty of murder and four others have been found guilty of manslaughter over the death of a father from Northumberland.
Danny Humble was killed by the group of teens - then aged 16 and 17 - as he made his way home from a night out with his partner in Cramlington last year.
A trial at Newcastle Crown Court heard that the 35-year-old was set upon after coming across his killers at an underpass.
Following a joke from the youths that he looked like one of the television stars Ant and Dec, they embarked on an attack which lawyers said was around 15 seconds of violence.
Jurors were told the victim, a father-of-two, was repeatedly kicked on the floor and left with a "catastrophic" head injury from which he could not recover.
On Tuesday 5 July, the jury at the court returned their verdicts on the fourth day of deliberations.
Ex-soldier Alistair Dickson, 18, of Hawkins Way, Blyth, Northumberland, was convicted of murder after jurors heard he stamped on Mr Humble's head.
The jury cleared his co-defendants of murder but found them guilty of manslaughter.
They were Kyros Robinson, 18, of Woodside Avenue, Seaton Delaval, Ethan Scott, 18, of Chester Grove, Blyth, Bailey Wilson, 18, of Mitford Avenue, Blyth and a 17-year-old, who cannot be identified for legal reasons.
Two other teenagers, Izaak Little, 18, of Blackthorn Drive, Blyth, and a 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were cleared of murdering Mr Humble at the direction of the judge last month.
Watch ITV News reporter Gregg Easteal report live on the verdict.
The trial heard moments before the attack, Mr Humble was the subject of a joke when one of the teenagers said he looked like TV presenter Ant McPartlin.
There was no trouble at that point but shortly after Mr Humble tried to punch one of the group, then aged 16, before he himself was knocked to the floor.
Mr Justice Bennathan told the defendants that "significant custodial" terms would follow when they are sentenced.
'So many lives have been destroyed by what happened that night'
Detective Chief Inspector Joanne Brooks, of Northumbria Police, said: "This is a truly tragic case in which a father lost his life and our thoughts very much remain with Danny’s heartbroken family and loved ones.
"Danny was a very respected member of the Cramlington community and leaves behind two completely devastated children, a committed partner, loving family and countless friends.
"This has been a complex investigation that has relied on the support of the community to come forward as witnesses and assist with the case – and I would like to thank people for their assistance.
"I also want to thank Danny’s loved ones for their patience, cooperation and the dignity they have shown during the investigation and court proceedings."
Det Chief Insp Brooks added: "So many lives have been destroyed by what happened that night.
"Children have been left without a father and those responsible have caused pain and suffering for their own loved ones and shattered their own chances of a happy future.
"No one wins where violence is concerned and I want to send a clear message to anyone who believes that such actions are acceptable – the consequences are devastating and can rip lives apart.
"As a force we are fully committed to tackling violent crime and working with partners will continue to play our part in ensuring the region remains one of the safest in the country."
The five teenagers convicted for killing Mr Humble on 28 May, 2021, were remanded into custody.
They will be sentenced in September.
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