Acquitted of his nephew’s murder

Aug 18 2007 by Deborah James, Liverpool Daily Post

A MAN who stabbed his nephew through the heart has been acquitted of murder, but was found guilty of the lesser charge of manslaughter.

Terence Clegg, 35, was warned he faces a jail sentence after being acquitted of murdering 30-year-old Michael Clegg, but guil- ty of his manslaughter, by a Liverpool Crown Court jury.

During his trial, the court heard Michael Clegg was found bleeding to death on the landing outside his uncle’s first-floor flat in Belle Vale on February 25.

David Turner QC, prosecuting, told the court Michael Clegg was rolling in pain, moaning and pleading for help.

Terence Clegg had stabbed him following a row inside the flat and he told the court he had never meant to kill his nephew.

Before the fatal incident Michael, Terence Clegg and his girlfriend Gaynor Mason, 31, had been drinking and taking drugs.

The prosecution had alleged Terence Clegg attacked his nephew after he intervened when the older man punched Mrs Mason.

Michael Clegg died as a result of single stab wound, which penetrated his heart.

Terence Clegg, of Hartsbourne Avenue, Belle Vale, had denied murder and told the jury his nephew’s death was an accident.

Judge Henry Globe QC, the Recorder of Liverpool, adjourned sentence until October 12 for psychiatric reports to be completed.

He told Clegg: “The reality is there will be a custodial sentence.”

Clegg was further remanded in custody.