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Teenagers cleared of fight death | Teenagers cleared of fight death |
(20 minutes later) | |
Two men accused of murdering a father-of-two following an argument outside a takeaway have been acquitted. | Two men accused of murdering a father-of-two following an argument outside a takeaway have been acquitted. |
James Diggens, 19, of Henley, Oxon, and Kes Ingoldsby, 18, of Caversham Park Village, Reading, had denied murdering Stephen Langford on 9 December 2006. | James Diggens, 19, of Henley, Oxon, and Kes Ingoldsby, 18, of Caversham Park Village, Reading, had denied murdering Stephen Langford on 9 December 2006. |
Mr Langford, 43, died after an argument outside a takeaway in Henley, in an incident which stunned the town. | Mr Langford, 43, died after an argument outside a takeaway in Henley, in an incident which stunned the town. |
The Inner London Crown Court had heard how Mr Langford was kicked and punched in the attack in Greys Road. | The Inner London Crown Court had heard how Mr Langford was kicked and punched in the attack in Greys Road. |
They [Mr Langford's family] are saddened that no-one has been held to account for the taking of Stephen's life Det Insp Pete Dowling of Thames Valley Police | They [Mr Langford's family] are saddened that no-one has been held to account for the taking of Stephen's life Det Insp Pete Dowling of Thames Valley Police |
Mr Langford had been enjoying a night out with friends when he and another man, Gary Joynes, decided to visit the Southern Fried Chicken and Pizza Takeaway on the day he was attacked. | Mr Langford had been enjoying a night out with friends when he and another man, Gary Joynes, decided to visit the Southern Fried Chicken and Pizza Takeaway on the day he was attacked. |
During the trial, the court heard that a young woman saw a group of young men surrounding Mr Langford. | During the trial, the court heard that a young woman saw a group of young men surrounding Mr Langford. |
Prosecutor Julian Baughan told the court "there were raised voices" and Mr Langford "was punched hard in the face". | Prosecutor Julian Baughan told the court "there were raised voices" and Mr Langford "was punched hard in the face". |
He then fell backwards on to the ground. | He then fell backwards on to the ground. |
An ambulance was called but attempts to revive Mr Langford were unsuccessful and he died at the Royal Berkshire Hospital, Mr Baughan added. | An ambulance was called but attempts to revive Mr Langford were unsuccessful and he died at the Royal Berkshire Hospital, Mr Baughan added. |
'A lovely man' | 'A lovely man' |
However, Mr Diggens and Mr Ingoldsby told the court Mr Langford had been aggressive to them and they had hit him in self-defence. | However, Mr Diggens and Mr Ingoldsby told the court Mr Langford had been aggressive to them and they had hit him in self-defence. |
Mr Ingoldsby is the son of millionaire music producer Denis Ingoldsby, who launched the music careers of singers Louise Nurding and Dina Carroll. | Mr Ingoldsby is the son of millionaire music producer Denis Ingoldsby, who launched the music careers of singers Louise Nurding and Dina Carroll. |
A statement from Mr Langford's family's read: "Even with a conviction and sentence we would still be losers today. | A statement from Mr Langford's family's read: "Even with a conviction and sentence we would still be losers today. |
"Remember, we lost Steve - a man of great presence, pride, honour, integrity, laughter. | "Remember, we lost Steve - a man of great presence, pride, honour, integrity, laughter. |
"We've lost a caring, loving son, brother and father. | "We've lost a caring, loving son, brother and father. |
"Steve was suddenly and cruelly taken from us - leaving a huge vacuum for his family and friends. | "Steve was suddenly and cruelly taken from us - leaving a huge vacuum for his family and friends. |
"Steve was a lovely man." | "Steve was a lovely man." |
'Sad' case | 'Sad' case |
Shortly after Mr Langford's death, Henley MP Boris Johnson, who was a friend of Mr Langford's, called for an end to violence in the town. | |
He said in December 2006: "It's just a sickening, terrible thing to happen. He was a happy, fantastic guy." | |
Det Insp Pete Dowling, from Thames Valley Police's major crime unit, described the case as "sad". | Det Insp Pete Dowling, from Thames Valley Police's major crime unit, described the case as "sad". |
He said: "My condolences and thoughts are with Stephen Langford's family at this difficult time." | He said: "My condolences and thoughts are with Stephen Langford's family at this difficult time." |
Det Insp Dowling added: "They [the family] are saddened that no-one has been held to account for the taking of Stephen's life. | Det Insp Dowling added: "They [the family] are saddened that no-one has been held to account for the taking of Stephen's life. |
"We are satisfied that the evidence has been thoroughly examined and tested to assist the jury to reach their verdict." | "We are satisfied that the evidence has been thoroughly examined and tested to assist the jury to reach their verdict." |