Neighbours have said that their whole street was in shock after a Shirebrook man died following a punch from one of his neighbours. A Nottingham Crown Court jury has found Arthur Cabourn, 60, not guilty of manslaughter in relation to the death of dad-of-two Alan Youd, 69.
The trial heard that Mr Cabourn hit Mr Youd in self-defence on August 11, 2021, following a history of ill-feeling between the pair. Mr Youd hit the ground during the fight and never regained consciousness.
Whilst Mr Cabourn's injuries were superficial, the fatal injury to Mr Youd was consistent with a blunt trauma blow - a punch to the left side of his jaw. The blow could also have been to the site of any of his multiple facial injuries which were consistent with punches to the face, the jury heard.
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People living on Chestnut Drive in Shirebrook, where the fighting took place, have described their fear at living in the area following the conclusion of the trial, Derbyshire Live reports. Margaret, who lives on Chestnut Drive and didn't want to give her surname, said: "I don't go out on my own at night, I'm too scared to unless I'm with my husband."
"I heard about it and it was a 'wow' moment, you don't expect that to happen, especially around here," said one neighbour following the jury's not-guilty verdict. "I saw the police there when it happened and then found out about it, I was shocked, the whole street was because you just don't expect that to happen."
While the community appears to have overcome the events of that day, the memories of Mr Youd are still fresh in people's minds. "I've spoken to the guy who died but only in passing as you do because that's what it's like here. He was friendly enough," one neighbour said.
Another neighbour, who works as a postman, added: "I've come up from London and we've had two deaths in a year to 18 months, it's shocking, it really is." While another lady who lives close to the scene of the altercation added: "It's usually quite quiet around here but that's really sad. I didn't know the people involved but it's happening too much these days."
Mr Cabourn cried as the verdict was read out in court. Earlier in the trial, he told the jury the death of Mr Youd was something "I have just got to live with this for the rest of my life".
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