Dorset: Man convicted after Weymouth death

29/01/2010

A man has been found guilty of manslaughter following a five day trial at Winchester Crown Court.

Robin Randall, 31, from Weymouth, was convicted for the manslaughter of 34-year-old Michael Wooldridge today, Friday, 29 January 2010.

Michael Wooldridge was drinking with Robin Randall and others in the Lugger Inn public house on West Street, in the Chickerell area of Weymouth, on the evening of Saturday, 4 April 2009.

An altercation took place between the two men and, a few minutes after this disagreement had ended, Robin Randall was seen to strike Michael in the face as he stood outside the pub.

As a result, Michael fell backwards and hit his head on the road - he sustained a head injury from which he never recovered. He died in Dorset County Hospital at 2.20am on Sunday, 5 April 2009.

Stuart Ellacott, Crown Advocate for CPS Dorset, added: "This is a difficult case, not least because a man lost his life, but also because the men were good friends. An afternoon out at the Lugger Inn resulted in some friendly horseplay that took a turn for the worse and that has ultimately resulted in today's verdict."

Senior Investigating Officer Detective Inspector Neil Devoto, of Dorset Police's Major Crime Investigation Team added: "This was a tragic and unnecessary death of a 34-year-old man who had been socialising with friends and our thoughts go out to Michael's family. It is quite clear that alcohol played a very significant part in the events of the evening that led up to Michael's death.
I'd like to thank the witnesses who came forward whose evidence allowed the court to have a clear picture of what took place throughout this tragic incident."