Jury clears St Bees man Lewis Knight of manslaughter

After deliberating for five hours and 43 minutes, jurors at Carlisle Crown Court cleared 31-year-old Lewis Knight of unlawfully killing Marc Wright, who prosecutors said died because he was punched in a row over a £100 debt.

Mr Wright, 39, who had struggled with drug addiction, collapsed at his mother’s home in West Cumbria on March 28, 2021.

He died in hospital a short time later.

A pathologist concluded that the internal bleeding which led to his collapse was the result of a rupture, or tear, to his spleen, which in turn was caused by a rib fracture, said to have been sustained between four and seven days earlier.

The crux of the trial, the jury heard, was what caused the rib fracture.

Prosecutor Kim Whittlestone told jurors that the prosecution case was that Mr Knight punched Mr Wright on March 22, 2021, six days before his collapse.

Mr Wright’s mother Janice, who cared for her son, described how on that day her son called her, seeming “frantic” because, she said, he needed to settle a £100 debt that he owed to Mr Knight, who was described as his associate.

She said Mr Knight, of Beach Road, St Bees, came onto the call to say he wanted his money and that he threatened her son. The following day, she said, her son complained of having a sore rib.

Mrs Wright also recalled her son reporting that he was given a black eye by a different man a fortnight before the alleged assault by Mr Knight, who has always denied wrongdoing or causing the death.

After the verdict, Judge Nicholas Barker thanked jurors for the "time and patience" they gave what had been a difficult case. He noted that they had given evidence "careful and close attention."

In an earlier hearing, the prosecutor praised Mr Wright's mother, saying he had been fortunate to have her support as she was always there to steer him through the problems he encountered in his life.

Mr Knight was represented by defence barrister Rosalind Scott Bell.