A TEENAGER cleared of killing another youth has expressed his remorse over the incident which led to the boy's death.

A jury found Craig Coombs, 18, not guilty of the manslaughter of 16-year-old Andrew Jones.

Yesterday, Mr Coombs said he was sorry for the incident, and said: "Every day since this happened, not one day has gone by without me thinking about it."

Mr Coombs said he would return to work as an apprentice bricklayer in Hartlepool with housebuilder Yuill.

Teesside Crown Court heard how Mr Coombs, of Tuson Walk, Hartlepool, punched Andrew Andrew in the face once, knocking him to the floor.

Andrew, of Potter Walk, Hartlepool, hit his head and fractured his skull during the incident in the town's Abigail Walk at 2.30am in December.

He died a day later at Middlesbrough General Hospital.

Prosecutors said Mr Coombs attacked him in a jealous rage, as Andrew's brother had begun a relationship with Mr Coombs' ex-girlfriend.

But Mr Coombs told the court that he was not bothered about the relationship and that Andrew had started the fight.

He said he had thrown one punch and ran, and did not realise how serious the incident was until next day, when he handed himself in to police.

John Ellwood, defending, said: "This has been a very difficult case and, throughout, my client has been so sorry for causing this man's death."

The trial heard how Andrew had been drinking and taking drugs on the evening of the fight and that Mr Coombs had also been drinking.