Kristian Thompson death: Open verdict recorded

A teenager who died 10 months after he was attacked in a nightclub may not have died as a result of those injuries, an inquest has heard.

Kristian Thompson, 19, died in July at a Northampton hospital. A pathologist said it may have been a case of 'sudden adult death syndrome'.

Mark Berry, from Leadgate, was jailed for 28 months for punching Mr Thompson in the K2 club in September 2010.

County Durham Deputy Coroner, Crispin Oliver, recorded an open verdict.

The court heard from a Home Office pathologist who said that it was impossible to ascertain whether Mr Thompson had died as a direct result from the attack.

Mr Oliver decided there was not enough evidence to link his death with the assault.

A family spokesman, Steve Haigh, told the BBC after the inquest had concluded that they felt it was "simply common sense" that there was a link.

The family were critical of the Crown Prosecution Service's decision not to prosecute Mr Thompson's attacker for manslaughter.

Mr Haigh went on to say: "What we want is truth and justice for Kristian and we'll fight for truth and justice."