Cameron Hamilton death: Teen given nine years in custody for stabbing

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

A teenager has been given a nine-year custodial sentence for stabbing another teenager to death in a town centre.

Cameron Hamilton, 18, died after a late-night altercation in The Square in Bournemouth in August 2023.

Thomas Betteridge, 18, was cleared of murder after claiming self-defence but was convicted of manslaughter and knife possession at Bournemouth Crown Court.

The judge said the defendant, of Southsea, Hampshire, was drunk and affected by cocaine during the fight.

He imposed a nine-year sentence at a young offender institution with a further three years on licence.

Cameron Hamilton "did not deserve to die that day", his mother told the court

Dorset Police said officers arrived "within seconds" of the stabbing early on 5 August.

Mr Hamilton, from Bournemouth, died at the scene despite the efforts of police and paramedics.

His mother Sarah Robinson told the court her son "did not deserve to die that day".

Reading a victim impact statement, she continued: "The defendants will one day be released from prison and get to live a life but we, Cam's family, are the ones with a true life sentence."

Police sealed off The Square and the Lower Gardens following the stabbing

The court heard Betteridge boasted he had "sliced up" the victim and had "shanked him".

Judge William Mousley KC said: "I have concluded the use of the knife was wholly unnecessary in the face of the threat he felt."

He added: "Cameron Hamilton was a much-loved family member with a large circle of friends. He was popular and he had his whole adult life ahead of him.

"His death and the way it happened has a huge ever-lasting impact on those who knew him and leaves a void in their lives."

Lennie Hansen, 18, of Waterlooville, brought the 12.5cm (5in) knife that Betteridge used and is due to be sentenced next month for knife possession.

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