A MAN was found guilty of killing a teen “enemy” in the street after chasing him for a “straightener”.

Michael Sands, 22, was cleared of murdering 18-year-old Neil Murphy but convicted of the lesser charge of manslaughter today.

His co-accused Thomas Speed, 23, was cleared of both charges and causing grievous bodily harm with intent, but convicted of the alternative offence of causing grievous bodily harm.

Sands, of Beach Road, Litherland, admitted repeatedly punching Mr Murphy while he was on the ground in the June 5 attack.

He accepted Mr Murphy had footprints on his face, but insisted he could not remember if he had kicked him because it all happened in such “a blur”.

Mr Murphy, of Bootle, who was three weeks short of his 19th birthday, suffered serious brain damage in the fatal assault.

He was taken to hospital but his life-support machine was switched off a few days later.

During a two-week trial, prosecutors alleged Sands and Speed had chanced upon Mr Murphy in Marian Square, Netherton, but had pursued him in a “sudden, bold and very fast” attack.

Speed Thornton, caught up with Mr Murphy first and held on to him in Marie Curie Avenue until Sands arrived and carried out his lethal attack.