THE grieving parents of Hadyn Matthews, who died after being punched outside a pub, collapsed in tears of relief as a jury decided he was killed unlawfully.

Gwen Stace and Geoff Matthews, who have fought for seven months to defend their son's reputation, declared: "This verdict means everything to us."

They are now desperately hoping the Crown Prosecution Service will prosecute Hadyn's attacker, Toby Culton.

Hadyn, of Beverley Gardens, Ensbury Park, hit his head on the pavement during an altercation outside the Pines public house in Winton in March this year.

The 28-year-old roofer went home but fell unconscious the next day and died at Poole Hospital.

The inquest at Bournemouth Town Hall was told that Toby Culton, also 28, was jealous because he believed Hadyn was chatting up his barmaid girlfriend.

He admitted punching Hadyn in self-defence but Hadyn's friend Jonathan Leah and a taxi driver both witnessed the incident and said Culton had been the aggressor.

After the majority verdict was announced, Mrs Stace, 54, said she and Hadyn's family and friends had been through "absolute hell" in their bid for justice.

"I've not got my son but now he has got his good reputation back, and it's a reputation that took him 28 years to build," she said.

"I know our son. Hadyn was a lovely guy and never hurt anyone, ever."

And Mr Matthews, 57, added: "Hadyn never got involved in any scuffle. Even at home he was always the peacemaker, that was his nature."

The case, complete with witness statements and CCTV footage, was referred to the Crown Prosecution Service twice but it decided not to prosecute because of "insufficient evidence" - a decision Mrs Stace said was "heartbreaking".

John Revell, chief crown prosecutor, said the CPS would now review the papers it recieved on the case together with the evidence which the inquest jury heard.

A Dorset Police spokesperson said: "Dorset Police carried out a detailed criminal investigation into the death of Mr Matthews and the file detailing the evidence was sent to the CPS, which decided not to bring a prosecution."

Culton's sister Lucy Culton told the Daily Echo: "Toby's life has been greatly affected by Hadyn's death. As a family we would like to say that Toby did not leave the scene straight away, he did ask people to call for an ambulance. We are all devastated by Hadyn's death."

First published: October 15