A PENSIONER has been cleared by a court of killing his neighbour in a row over noise.

Garry Poore was accused of hitting Ronald Mayne during a noisy neighbour dispute, in February.

The pensioner denied a charge of manslaughter and was cleared by a jury after a Chelmsford Crown Court trial.

There were dramatic scenes as the not guilty verdict was revealed. Mr Poore started crying as members of Mr Mayne’s family quickly left the court.

Some of Mr Poore’s relatives went to comfort him as he reached for a handkerchief to dry his eyes.

He then looked over to the jury of six men and six women and said: “Thank you.”

As Mr Poore, 75, was helped from the court, a relative said: “We’re just glad it’s all over.”

Prosecutors had alleged Mr Poore punched or pushed Mr Mayne.

He fell hitting his head on the ground and died a week later in hospital.

Mr Poore told the court he had not even touched Mr Mayne, but said he had tripped and fallen.

The trial heard the men lived next door to each other on the Templeton caravan park in Bakers Lane, West Hanningfield.

Mr Poore, from Stock Road, Billericay, told his trial he “went nuts” and ended up arguing with Mr Mayne over swearing and noise from his television. However, he said he did not touch Mr Mayne.