Man found guilty of murder after fight in Blackpool
Paul Atherton will be sentenced for the murder of Ryan Harvey tomorrow
Last updated 1st Nov 2023
A MAN has been found guilty of murdering Ryan Harvey in Blackpool.
Police were called to Central Drive in Blackpool at 5.33pm on Saturday June 25 following reports of people fighting.
Officers attended and found a man with a serious head injury.
The man, 22-year-old Ryan David Harvey from Walsall, was taken to Royal Preston Hospital for treatment but he never recovered and was sadly pronounced deceased on Tuesday June 28.
A post-mortem examination concluded that the cause of Ryan’s death was blunt head trauma.
The Lancashire Force Major Investigation Team launched a murder inquiry, and two men were charged.
Following a trial at Preston Crown Court Paul Atherton, 38, of Knowsley Crescent, Thornton was found guilty of murder.
A second man had earlier admitted a charge of assaulting Mr Harvey.
Thomas Heaney, 32, of Cross Street, Fleetwood was originally charged with murder following consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service, but he admitted a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and the murder charge was dropped. He was sentenced earlier.
The court heard that while both Atherton and Heaney punched Ryan Harvey, it is clear from the CCTV and expert medical evidence that Atherton struck the fatal blow.
Atherton was also convicted of assault and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place.
He will be sentenced tomorrow (Thursday, November 2)
((news))