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Judge releases stoning death boys Judge releases stoning death boys
(about 4 hours later)
Five boys aged 12 to 14 who were jailed for two years each for killing a man as he played cricket have had their manslaughter convictions overturned. Five boys aged 12 to 14, sentenced to two years' detention each for killing a man as he played cricket, have had manslaughter convictions overturned.
Ernest Norton, 67, was pelted with stones and rocks while playing cricket with his 17-year-old son James at a leisure centre in south-east London. Ernest Norton, 67, was pelted with stones and rocks at a south-east London leisure centre in February 2006.
Two of the stones hit Mr Norton on his head and he suffered a heart attack. Two of the stones hit Mr Norton on the head and he suffered a heart attack.
Lord Justice Gage at the Court of Appeal ordered the boys to be released and said reasons would be given later. Lord Justice Gage, at the Court of Appeal, said reasons would be given later for releasing the boys, who had been sentenced on 19 October.
Mr Norton was playing cricket with his 17-year-old son at the time of the attack.
Violent disorderViolent disorder
The five boys, one of whom was just 10 at the time, were convicted at the Old Bailey of manslaughter and violent disorder in August.The five boys, one of whom was just 10 at the time, were convicted at the Old Bailey of manslaughter and violent disorder in August.
The youngest, now 12, and his brother, 13, as well as three other boys, all aged 14, were given sentences in youth detention on October 19. The youngest, now 12, and his brother, 13, as well as three other boys, all aged 14, were given sentences in youth detention two months ago.
At a hearing before the appeal judges on Thursday Mark Wall QC, challenging the safety of the manslaughter convictions, argued that it could not be established which of the allegedly "unlawful or dangerous" actions, if any of them, had contributed to Mr Norton's heart attack. At a hearing before the appeal judges on Thursday, Mark Wall QC, challenging the safety of the manslaughter convictions, argued that it could not be established which of the allegedly "unlawful or dangerous" actions, if any of them, had contributed to Mr Norton's heart attack.
Lord Gage, at the end of the legal argument, announced that the court was allowing the appeals against conviction.Lord Gage, at the end of the legal argument, announced that the court was allowing the appeals against conviction.
The boys, who cannot be named for legal reasons, have been bailed and their sentences for violent disorder offences will be considered by a trial judge at the Old Bailey.The boys, who cannot be named for legal reasons, have been bailed and their sentences for violent disorder offences will be considered by a trial judge at the Old Bailey.
Lord Gage said: "Whatever the result of the appeals, this was a real tragedy for the family and, on behalf of us all, I express our sincere sympathy to Mrs Norton and her family."Lord Gage said: "Whatever the result of the appeals, this was a real tragedy for the family and, on behalf of us all, I express our sincere sympathy to Mrs Norton and her family."
Det Insp Clive Heys, who led the investigation, said Mr Norton's widow, Linda, was "very very upset" at the outcome.Det Insp Clive Heys, who led the investigation, said Mr Norton's widow, Linda, was "very very upset" at the outcome.