'Noisy neighbour' Krystian Skowronski cleared of manslaughter

Philip Woods died after confronting Skowronski outside his home in Lincoln

A man has been cleared of unlawfully killing his neighbour following a row over noise.

Krystian Skowronski, 32, of Gaunt Street, Lincoln, had denied the manslaughter of 66-year-old Philip Woods on 5 June last year.

He had also denied assaulting Mr Woods on the same day and affray.

A jury at Lincoln Crown Court cleared Skowronski of manslaughter and assaulting Mr Woods but convicted him of affray.

Skowronski, who was represented by Gordon Aspden KC, denied being criminally responsible for the death of Mr Woods.

But Steven Bailey, prosecuting, had alleged that Skowronski was a noisy neighbour whose actions in disturbing his neighbours, some of them elderly, led to the death of Mr Woods.

Jurors had been told Skowronski's behaviour had previously led to court proceedings in which Mr Woods claimed the defendant's actions had left him feeling threatened and frightened.

Events came to a head during the late afternoon and early evening of 5 June when Mr Woods confronted the defendant in the street near his home.

Shortly afterwards, Mr Woods, who had a long-standing heart condition and high blood pressure, made a 999 call from his Gaunt Street flat reporting that he had been assaulted.

Emergency services attended but were unable to resuscitate him, the court heard.

Jurors reached their verdicts after being asked to consider if they were sure Skowronski had physically struck Mr Woods.

Judge Simon Hirst adjourned sentence until 8 April for the preparation of reports and remanded Skowronski back into custody.