Van driver found guilty of footballer's murder

Sam Wilson, 26, was pronounced dead at the scene

A man who drove his van into a group on a Christmas night out has been found guilty of murder.

Zac Newman killed Sam Wilson, 26, and injured two others while at the wheel of his van in Ilkeston, Derbyshire, last year.

Mr Wilson, who was out for his football team's annual Christmas celebration in Market Place, suffered fatal injuries and died at the scene.

Newman was found guilty of murder on Monday after a trial at Derby Crown Court.

Zac Newman denied intending to kill Mr Wilson

After nearly 20 hours of deliberation, the jury also found Newman guilty of wounding with intent and attempted grievous bodily harm with intent in relation to two other men - Sean Cardwell and Daniel Rowley, who were injured by the van.

A trial heard the 27-year-old had spent a day drinking at a number of pubs before driving his work van into the group of people in the early hours of 16 December.

Jurors were also told that he had been involved in a fight in one of the pubs he visited that night.

Newman now faces a mandatory life sentence, with his minimum term before parole to be decided at a sentencing hearing on Friday.

Follow BBC Derby on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to [e-mail] or via WhatsApp on 0808 100 2210.