Cameron Hamilton: Family tribute after manslaughter verdict

Cameron Hamilton, 18, was a "caring, intelligent, polite young man", his family said

The family of a teenager who was stabbed to death say their lives have been "changed forever".

Cameron Hamilton, 18, died after an altercation in The Square in Bournemouth last summer.

Thomas Betteridge was found guilty of his manslaughter following a trial at Bournemouth Crown Court.

Dorset's police and crime commissioner (PCC) said the case has prompted "serious conversations" about knife crime.

Betteridge, from Waterlooville, Hampshire, was found not guilty of murder on Friday following the three-week trial. He was found guilty of possessing a bladed article.

Thomas Betteridge was found guilty of manslaughter and possessing a bladed article

Dorset Police said officers were on the scene "within seconds" of the stabbing early on 5 August but despite their efforts, and those of paramedics, Mr Hamilton died at the scene.

In a statement, released after the verdicts, his family said he was "loved by all that had the pleasure of knowing him".

"He was a loving and caring, intelligent, polite young man with his whole life ahead of him. He is missed so much by us all.

"We as a family still remain and always will be, truly devastated by the loss of our beautiful Cam, we will never get over his life being so horribly taken from him. Our lives are changed forever," they added.

Dorset's PCC David Sidwick said Mr Hamilton's death had "sent shockwaves" through Bournemouth.

"He was a young man who had his whole life ahead of him, and I am absolutely determined that all agencies must work together to prevent this devastating loss from happening to another family," he added.

Det Ch Insp Neil Third, of Dorset Police, said: "Cameron's tragic death at the hands of Thomas Betteridge is the starkest of reminders of the horrific consequences that can result from taking a knife out on to the streets."

Betteridge is due to be sentenced on 5 April.