Belfast chef 'not guilty' of one-punch death

A north Belfast chef has been found not guilty of causing the death of 22-year-old, Conan Anderson, who died in hospital of severe head injuries 12 days after a one-punch altercation.

Following a week-long trial at Belfast Crown Court, the jury delivered a majority 10 to 2 'not guilty' verdict against Lawrence Dowie.

They deliberated the case for over four hours.

The Short Strand man, Conan Anderson, sustained a fatal head wound during an early morning altercation with 28-year-old Mr Dowie in the Arthur Lane area of Belfast city centre last February.

Giving evidence from the witness box, Mr Dowie said there was a bit of "banter" and "innocent slagging" between him and the deceased on the night.

Mr Dowie, whose address cannot be published due to reporting restrictions, always maintained that he acted in self defence.

He insisted that he struck Mr Anderson once the football coach headbutted him and threw two punches which didn't connect.

The left-handed punch to Mr Anderson's jaw resulted in him falling back and hitting his head off the pavement. He was rendered unconscious for a period but after being helped to his feet by Mr Dowie, was able to walk a mile-long journey home.

The jury was shown CCTV footage which captured Mr Anderson making his way home following the punch. Clearly unsteady on his feet at times, Mr Anderson was spoken to by both paramedic and police and rejected medical assistance.

He slept for a few hours after returning home, but his erratic behaviour on the afternoon and evening of Monday 6 February caused his family concern and an ambulance was called.

Despite medical intervention, Mr Anderson passed away in Intensive Care on February 18 last year from severe head injuries including a fractured skull and bleeding on the brain.