A MAN has been cleared of unlawfully killing his next-door neighbour with a single punch.
Jurors took just over an hour to find Mark Breen not guilty of the manslaughter of Mark Monahan.
Mr Monahan, 45, died after Mr Breen hit him in the neck, ripping an artery and causing a brain haemorrhage.
He collapsed uncon-scious immediately and died the next day.
Mr Breen, 37, always admitted striking Mr Monahan, but insisted it was self-defence.
He told the jury of seven men and five women Mr Monahan had been “coming at him”. Fearing he would be beaten, Mr Breen said he lashed out first.
Jurors at Liverpool crown court had previously heard Mr Breen and Mr Monahan had repeatedly clashed.
Breen, of Melrose Rose, Kirkdale, audibly sighed and hung his head as the verdict was announced.
