A 20-year-old man was found guilty of manslaughter on 4 February 2026 after a fatal stabbing in Bournemouth, Dorset. Thomas Betteridge was convicted at Bournemouth Crown Court of the manslaughter of 18-year-old Cameron Hamilton following a fight in the town centre.
The killing took place in the early hours of 5 August 2023 in an area known as The Square. Police said a 12.5cm knife, which had been brought to the area and hidden by an associate, was picked up by Betteridge and used to stab Mr Hamilton in the chest during a frenzied altercation lasting only a few seconds. According to BBC News, this was the second time a jury had to hear the case after an earlier conviction was overturned on appeal.
Dorset Police said the verdict followed a detailed investigation by the force’s Major Crime Investigation Team. Officers were on the scene within seconds of the incident, but Cameron Hamilton was pronounced dead at the scene.
Local media reported that Mr Hamilton’s family said they felt exhausted by the legal process but were grateful for the outcome. Betteridge will remain in custody until his sentencing hearing on 8 May 2026. The prosecution was led by John Price KC on behalf of the Crown Prosecution Service.
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