Man guilty of manslaughter over New Year's attack
Cleveland PoliceA man has been found guilty of the manslaughter of a 31-year-old father who died after an assault on New Year's Eve.
Aiden Matthews was assaulted in Norton on 31 December 2025 and died days later in hospital due to brain injuries, according to Cleveland Police.
Following a trial at Teesside Crown Court, Declan Moor, 21, of Centenary Crescent in Norton, was found guilty of manslaughter.
Max Cashman, 30, of no fixed abode and Lee Bradshaw, 22, from Vale Drive in Thornaby, both pleaded guilty to manslaughter earlier this year.
Supt Deb Fenny said the verdict marked the end of a complex investigation and she is pleased to be be able to "secure justice for Aiden Matthews".
"What makes this case particularly tragic is that Aiden was unaware of the catastrophic injuries he had suffered following the assault," she said.
"He returned home believing he would recover, when in reality his injuries would prove fatal just days later."
Sentencing will take place at a future date.
