A JURY today cleared a man of murdering his stepfather's drinking friend after an argument about a comment he had made a week earlier.

Christopher Morgan, from Consett, County Durham, who admitted manslaughter, will be sentenced at Teesside Crown Court in two weeks.

The jury of seven women and five men took just an hour to acquit the 24-year-old of the more serious charge at the end of a five-day trial.

The unemployed factory worker let out an audible gasp of relief from the dock when the unanimous verdict was delivered by the jury foreman.

He was remanded in custody so background reports can be prepared on him by the Probation Service, and he will be sentenced on October 22.

His barrister, Jamie Hill, QC, said today: “Mr Morgan appreciates he is going to receive a sentence which will be measured in years.”

Morgan punched, kicked and stamped on Jonathan Gilbert during an argument at the victim's home in Crook, County Durham, on April 20.

The 43-year-old victim – known as Gilly – died in hospital from brain-bleed injuries ten days after being beaten unconscious in his lounge.

A dispute between the two men arose a week before the attack when Mr Gilbert is said to have called Morgan, Thornfield Road, “a half-breed”.

Morgan insisted during his evidence this week that he did not intend to cause his victim any harm, and said: “He was a good friend of mine.”