Axe attacker guilty of friend's manslaughter

A man who repeatedly hit his friend in the face with an axe in what he claimed was self-defence has been found guilty of manslaughter.

Prosecutors had alleged Callum Howe, 23, murdered Mohammed Shaan Ali Rasul, 23, by striking him at least 10 times in the face with an axe or hatchet in the bedroom of his Hartlepool flat on 23 November 2025.

A pathologist said the victim died due to a combination of facial and head injuries.

Howe, of Blakelock Gardens, was found not guilty of murder, but convicted of manslaughter after a trial at Teesside Crown Court. He was remanded in custody and will be sentenced on 23 July.

He had claimed he acted in self-defence after being attacked by his friend.

Jurors took just over three hours to reach a unanimous verdict.

The victim was found by emergency services on the bedroom floor of Howe's first-floor flat in Allerton Close just after 11:15 GMT on 23 November.

Paramedics attempted CPR but he was pronounced dead a short time later.

A pathologist told the jury he had been hit at least 10 times in the face with a heavy instrument such as an axe, like one recovered from the scene.

The trial heard how the victim and his Japanese Akita dog, had been staying with another man at Howe's flat in Allerton Close in the days leading up to the attack.

The trio had been taking large quantities of cocaine and had not been eating or sleeping.

Howe said tensions had begun to rise between the other man and Rasul, and he left the flat.

The court heard that Rasul and Howe had had an altercation in the bedroom during which Rasul allegedly tried to let his dog in the room.

Howe claimed he was terrified of the dog and it was becoming agitated, growling behind the door.

The situation escalated and Howe told the court he had "fought for his life" and "he thought he was going to die", as Rasul became violent throwing punches.

The court heard Rasul picked up the hatchet kept in Howe's room and began swinging it with Howe eventually retrieving it, the court heard.

Prosecutor, Peter Makepeace KC said Howe was in a "drug fuelled rage", and had attacked Rasul, alleging the altercation arose due to issues around drugs, which Howe denied.

Defence barrister, Nicholas Lumley KC said Howe "fought for his life" after being attacked "by a crazed man full of cocaine with a hatchet".

In cross examination Howe said he used the hatchet "a few times" as he was scared for his life, but denied repeatedly striking the victim.

"I might have headbutted him over and over again, I did not axe him over and over again," he said.

Once Rasul was dazed, Howe fled out of the window leaving a shoe lodged in the ledge, the court heard.

Neighbours spotted him stumbling around the cul-de-sac covered in blood and asking for help and called emergency services.

While tending to an aggressive and intoxicated Howe, police officers and paramedics went into the flat and found the victim.

When interviewed by police, Howe gave "no comment" responses.

A statement prepared by his solicitor said he accepted he was responsible for his friend's injuries and death, but claimed he was acting in self-defence after being attacked.

A post mortem examination found Rasul had at least 12 significant impacts to the head and face and 10 from a heavy instrument with a sharp cutting edge such as an axe.

Pathologist, Dr Louise Mulchay, told the jury he had multiple fractures, including to his eye socket and jaw bone, and a number of teeth had been knocked out.

She said he had died due to a combination injuries, which had likely compromised his airway and impaired his breathing.

Forensic scientist Laura Lewis told the court she had found DNA evidence that the pair may have struggled with one another in the bedroom while both injured and bleeding.

Blood distribution indicated that Rasul had not been upright for any length of time while he was bleeding, and that he was on his back when the facial injuries were inflicted.

Det Supt Chris Motson of Cleveland Police said said the victim's family and loved ones had "endured unimaginable pain and loss".

Follow BBC Tees on X,Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.