Draven Jewell found not guilty of murdering Pennington dad Max Maguire, but guilty of manslaughter
A MAN accused of murdering Pennington dad Max Maguire has been cleared of the charge but found guilty of his manslaughter.
Draven Jewell (21) was also found not guilty of the attempted murder of Luke Gray but guilty of wounding him with intent.
He was also found not guilty of inflicting grievous bodily harm against Georgia Hole but guilty of unlawfully wounding her.
Draven, who had already pleaded guilty to having a blade in a public place, will be sentenced at Winchester Crown Court on 18th July.
The verdicts came at Winchester Crown Court this afternoon (Monday) and marked the end of a month-long trial after the incident, which happened in the alley between the Lymington Royal British Legion Club and High Street on 22nd October last year.
Detective Chief Inspector Rod Kenny led the investigation for Hampshire police and he issued a statement after the jury's decision.
He said: “The verdict comes at the end of a seven-month investigation and whilst Draven Jewell claimed he acted in lawful self-defence, in passing their verdict today, the jury found this not to be the case.
“Draven Jewell’s use of a knife that fateful night has taken a life far too soon.
“Our thoughts remain with Max’s family, his friends and the two people seriously injured during the course of this devastating incident.”
The jury heard how 23-year-olds Max and Luke became involved in an altercation with brothers Draven Jewell and Garon Jewell (19), during which the pair were stabbed.
Prosecutor Adam Feest QC told the jury Max suffered a stab wound which punctured a major artery and caused "catastrophic" blood loss.
It happened just after midnight, and Max stumbled back into the RBL bar where he collapsed and never regained consciousness.
Both the brothers, who were living at the town’s Flushards Estate, were arrested and Draven subsequently gave police a prepared statement in which he admitted having a knife on him "for protection" and claimed they had been attacked.
He said Garon went to the floor so he acted in self-defence, adding: "It all happened so quickly. I felt if I did not intervene they would kill him."
Garon was cleared halfway through the trial after the judge directed the jury to find him not guilty of murder and an alternative manslaughter charge, as well as wounding Luke and grievous bodily harm against Georgia.
