Two cousins convicted of murdering Shane Tunney - five others guilty of manslaughter

Five other teenagers were found guilty of his manslaughter.

Mr Tunney, 24, died a month after an incident on the High Street in Norton, near Stockton.

A new image of Shane Tunney released by Cleveland Police today

His friend, Anthony Kirk, 21, was also hit with a metal bar during the same attack.

Mr Tunney, from Norton, spent five weeks in hospital before succumbing to his head injuries on July 29 last year.

A jury at Teesside Crown Court found cousins Kieron Harry Davis and Kearan Terry Davis, both 18 and from Stockton, guilty of murder.

Kearan Terry Davis: Found guilty of murder and attempting to cause grievous bodily harm.

Kieron Harry Davis: Found guilty of murder and assault pccasioning actual bodily harm

Brandon Pitt and Jake Douglas, and a Daniel Josh Hunt, all 18, and from Stockton, plus a 17-year-old and a 16-year-old were convicted of manslaughter.

• "We all have a hole in our lives where Shane should be"

Kearon Terry Davis and Pitt were also found guilty of attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent with regard to the attack on Mr Kirk.

Brandon Pitt: Not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter and grievous bodily harm with intent

Jake Douglas: Not guilty of murder and grievous bodily harm with intent but guilty of alternative charges of manslaughter and assault occasioning actual bodily harm

Daniel Hunt: Not guilty of murder and grievous bodily harm with intent but guilty of alternative charges of manslaughter and assault occasioning actual bodily harm

The other five defendants were cleared of this charge but found guilty of assault causing actual bodily harm.

The jury deliberated for almost 33 hours before reaching the verdicts, and were thanked for their efforts by Judge Mr Justice Andrew Smith.

The trial heard that Mr Tunney's attackers kicked his head and body "as though they were kicking footballs at a goal" in the brutal assault on him and his friend.

Mr Kirk, 21, survived the assault, despite being beaten with a metal bar.

The attack came about after Mr Tunney challenged a gang of teenagers who were sitting on the roof of a Tesco supermarket in the early hours of June 27 last year.

To amuse themselves they were throwing rotten food off the roof onto people using the cashpoint below.

Mr Tunney tried to make them stop but as he and his friend walked away a member of the gang gave the order "hoods up" and they pursued them along the High Street in Norton.

In a "fast-moving and violent" incident the gang of seven 16- to 18-year-olds punched, kicked and stamped on their defenceless victims.

Following the verdicts, girlfriend of Shane Tunney, Vix Cooper, said: "As much as we feel justice has been done we are not able to celebrate.

"There are no winners in this.

The streets of Norton are however a little bit safer and hopefully no other family will have to go through the torment we have.

"It has been six weeks of ultimate torture.

"It was hard when he was in hospital but being so vulnerable and not being able to control anything was hard.

"We feel a massive weight has been lifted off our shoulders - we didn't think we would feel so relieved as we did. We are very happy with the verdict the jury have given us."

DCI Young said: "There is no doubt that Shane Tunney's actions saved his friend that night from further injuries. He is a hero and that's exactly how he shall be remembered. Those responsible acted as a pack and launched a co-ordinated attack, using a metal bar.

"While Shane can never come back we have some comfort that those responsible are behind bars.

"His friends and family acted with the upmost dignity thought the trial which has been difficult to endure due to the behaviour of the defendants in the dock.

"I am appalled by their behaviour - I can't imagine what it was like for the family to sit there."

Miss Cooper added: "It was very upsetting to hear the complete lack of respect and they have shown no remorse for their actions. As a family we have stood together and tried to stay strong."

Speaking afterwards, Gerry Wareham, Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS North East, said: “Shane Tunney sustained devastating injuries as a result of a savage and unprovoked assault; one in which each of those convicted today played a part.

“Throughout this trial the defendants have consistently tried to minimise their guilt, play down their involvement and blame each other for the injuries that ultimately led to Mr Tunney’s tragic death.”

“Through their unwillingness to show any remorse for their actions, those convicted have effectively extended the suffering of Mr Tunney’s family and friends.

"Mr Kirk was lucky to have escaped more serious injuries during the attack, but faced the distress of witnessing the assault on his friend and having to relive those events during the course this trial.”  

“I would hope that today’s convictions provide some measure of comfort for all of those who knew and loved Shane Tunney. I would also like to extend my sincere thanks to Cleveland Police, with whom we have worked very closely to build a robust case against those convicted today.”

Sentencing has been adjourned until a later date.