Meat tenderiser killer Mark Hall jailed for life

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tees-23346820

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The brother in-law of a man killed with a single blow from a meat tenderiser has been jailed for life for murder.

David Clark, 33, was found with serious head injuries at the home of Mark Hall in Cornforth Avenue, Middlesbrough, on 9 February. He died later in hospital.

Hall, 38, admitted manslaughter, but was found guilty of murder by a jury at Teesside Crown Court.

Judge Simon Bourne-Arton QC told Hall he must serve a minimum of 14 years in prison.

Hall earlier told the court he had not intended to kill Mr Clark, when he lashed out during a family row.

'Devastating day'

Mr Clark, an unemployed father-of-two, died 12 hours after the incident at Middlesbrough's James Cook University Hospital.

The court heard he suffered "irreversible brain damage" with bleeding and swelling on the brain.

After the verdict, Mr Clark's family issued a statement, which said: "David was a caring and lovable man who was taken from his family and friends in an unexpected and tragic way.

"He will never be forgotten and will be sadly missed. He lived every day to the full, was was a devoted dad, son, brother and uncle and to know that we will never see or hear from David again brings a lot of heartache to the family and his friends.

"A lot of people have been waiting a long time for this day hoping to get the justice that David deserves."

Acting Det Ch Insp Cath Galloway, of Cleveland Police, added: "There was never going to be a winner in this tragic case when a brother-in-law stands accused of killing a man in front of his family members.

"David's death will have a permanent and significant impact on all of their lives, however police believe that the right outcome was achieved."