A 17-year-old boy was found guilty of manslaughter on 24 February 2026 after a man died following a confrontation in the Whitehouse area of Ipswich, Suffolk. The trial at Ipswich Crown Court heard that the victim, 42-year-old Andrew Roche, was a father of three who was injured during a fight in July 2024. Mr Roche died in the hospital 18 days later after suffering serious head injuries.
The Suffolk Constabulary investigation focused on the incident which took place near Waterford Road and Ulster Avenue. Prosecutors provided the court with Ring doorbell footage that recorded the sound of the impact when Mr Roche fell and hit the concrete pavement. This recording was used as a key piece of evidence during the legal proceedings.
A second man, 39-year-old Thomas Watchman of Wicklow Road, was also on trial but was cleared of manslaughter. He was instead found guilty of a smaller charge of assault by beating for his part in the incident. The court heard that Watchman was involved in the altercation but did not cause the fatal injuries.
The teenager’s legal team argued that he acted without thinking because of his ADHD. They told the court that the boy felt scared during the confrontation and did not intend to cause serious harm. The verdict marks the end of an 19-month investigation into the death of the Ipswich resident.
