A TEENAGER has been cleared of the manslaughter of a young man who died in a house blaze.
Ryan Dugdale, 21, died as he slept upstairs in the bedroom of his home after a fire was started iafter a burglary.
Liam O’Brien, 18, of Hildebrand Road, Anfield, has already pleaded guilty to causing his death.
A 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was also accused of manslaughter, arson being reckless to whether life was endangered, and burglary on March 8.
But yesterday he was formally found not guilty of all charges by after the prosecution offered no evidence against him.
However, the teenager did admit escaping from police custody on June 19.
Paul Becker, prosecuting, said the youth had run away when officers had tried to arrest him in connection with the blaze.
Judge Gerald Clifton gave the teenager a conditional discharge for 12 months because he had already effectively served a four-month sentence.
O’Brien is due to appear on Friday so a date for sentencing can be fixed.
