A man who was charged with the murder of 60-year-old man Robert Payne following a drunken disturbance has been found not guilty by a jury.

Jamie Kennedy, of Garden Terrace, Royton, was cleared of the murder charge following a week-long trial.

Kennedy, 24, had previously pleaded guilty to manslaughter and will be sentenced on May 6.

He struck Mr Payne to the head following an argument outside his property on Frances Street, Derker on October 15, 2021.

Mr Payne hit his head on the floor and eventually died in Salford Royal Hospital three days later due to the head injuries suffered.

Kennedy also struck Mr Payne several times whilst the deceased was on the floor, unconscious.

Father-of-two Kennedy previously said he was "very sorry" to Mr Payne's family and friends and that he "didn't deserve any of it".

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During the trial at Manchester Crown Court, the jury heard from Dr Philip Lumb, a forensic pathologist, who said Mr Payne died due to a fatal blow to the head.

Dr Lumb said a CT scan on Mr Payne's head showed he had suffered a bleed to the brain, shifting of the brain in the skull and damage to the top vertebrae of his spine.

Dr Lumb also said Mr Payne suffered a skull fracture which was "typical of a backwards fall on a hard, unyielding surface".

He said: "The impact on the back of the head could account for the fatal injury."

The jury cleared Kennedy of the charges after deliberating for almost three hours.

During a visit to Mr Payne's on the morning of October 15, Kennedy, Mr Payne and some others became very drunk.

Kennedy and Mr Payne became engaged in an argument that spilled out of the property and onto the street as Mr Payne tried to get Kennedy to leave.

Two witnesses who gave evidence on Tuesday, Shaunnagh Roberts and Megan Taylor, said Kennedy tried to stamp on an unconscious Mr Payne after the punches were landed but he was stopped by Ms Roberts.

Mr Payne, who Kennedy referred to as 'Uncle Bob', was a landscape gardener and lived with his partner at the time of his death.

Kennedy said in court: "I could've walked away but at the time I was drunk and angry and I lost it."