Man admits to manslaughter of 'devoted' father in Emsworth
The 47-year-old suffered a severe blow to the head during an attempt to steal from him
A man has admitted to killing a man during an attempt to steal from him in Emsworth.
Stephen Harrington was found with a serious injury on land along Marlpit Lane on July 23rd last year.
The 47-year-old was taken to hospital but died there from his injuries two days later.
A Sussex Police investigation found Stephen died as a result of a severe blow to the head, believed to have been caused by a piece of wood.
Tarin Linfield, who's 21 and of Common Road in Hambrook, pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to a charge of manslaughter and conspiracy to steal at Lewes Crown Court on Monday (January 23rd).
Linfield was one of three people charged with his murder, with the others being 21-year-old Thomas Goldring and 23-year-old Joseph Butler.
Goldring, died in December 2022. As a result, any statements provided by him as part of the investigation could no longer be used as evidence in court.
Butler, of Priors Leaze Lane, Hambrook, pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to a charge of conspiracy to steal. This was accepted by the court.
Linfield and Butler have been remanded in custody for sentencing on March 3, 2023.
It was the prosecution’s case that the suspects attended Marlpit Lane that night to steal from Stephen.
Detective Chief Inspector Gareth Hicks, Senior Investigating Officer, said:
"This is a tragic case that has resulted in the sudden and heart-breaking death of a completely innocent and much-loved family man.
"From the outset, we’ve had to rely on the defendants’ accounts to try and piece together the events of that night. Unfortunately, only those who were there will ever know exactly what happened.
"Our thoughts continue to be with Stephen’s family and friends at this incredibly difficult time, and I hope this conviction of manslaughter will bring them some sense of closure."