A builder’s labourer has been convicted of killing a former Skipton man with a pickaxe handle in a street fight.
The jury in the trial of Duane Bellamy, of Braith-waite Drive, Braithwaite, Keighley, found him not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter at Leeds Crown Court.
Bellamy, 24, had denied murdering 44-year-old Jason Seed, on February 15.
Mr Justice Maddison adjourned sentencing for the preparation of reports, but warned Bellamy to expect a lengthy sentence.
During the trial, the jury was told Bellamy and the victim, who lived in Bradford, were fighting each other with equal force in Guardhouse Avenue, Braithwaite.
Film of Mr Seed wielding a plank and Bellamy armed with a branch was shown. Both men also threw a lump of concrete at one another.
A pickaxe handle was thrown into the street, the court had heard, which Mr Seed went for, but Bellamy managed to get hold of it.
Footage went on to show Bellamy striking Mr Seed six blows to the head with the pickaxe handle. He died from severe head injuries.
Bellamy will be sentenced on October 12.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article