A jury at Preston Crown Court heard how a £5.00 bet between neighbours on the outcome of the England v Croatia football match at the 2018 World Cup Quarter Finals, led to an argument in which the deceased, who had backed Croatia to win demanded immediate payment of the wager.
The Crown had alleged that when asked to pay up, the Defendant had forcefully and aggressively pushed the deceased in his chest causing him to fall backwards striking his head on the concrete balcony.
The blow led to a brain haemorrhage from which the deceased died in hospital 2 days later.
However the day following cross examination of the main prosecution eye witness to the incident, the Crown indicated to the trial judge that they were no longer seeking a conviction and offered no further evidence. The jury was directed by the trial Judge to return a not guilty verdict.
Jeremy Lasker was instructed by Forbes & Co Solicitors in Preston.