A MAN who struck and killed a man who gatecrashed his sister's 18th birthday told an inquest: “I'm so sorry”.

Tom Ruddick, of Milnsbridge, was giving evidence at an inquest into the death of 22-year-old Stevie Cameron who died in February 2009.

Mr Ruddick was not charged over Mr Cameron’s death after the Crown Prosecution Service decided he acted in self-defence.

And yesterday West Yorkshire coroner Dr Peter Straker agreed, returning the unusual verdict of lawful killing.

Mr Ruddick told the Bradford hearing he had “no choice” but to defend his home when it was attacked by a gang, led by a man with a violent reputation, Ben Dollive.

The men kicked in the door and hurled a paving slab and cannonball through the front window and charged inside.

Mr Ruddick, who feared someone was going to get killed, rushed into the back garden and armed himself with a pick axe handle.

He told the inquest how he went back inside and struck Mr Dollive and Mr Cameron, who were fighting side by side, once over the back of the head.

Both men were felled by the blows and knocked unconscious. Mr Cameron, of Lindley, died of a head injury a short time later in Huddersfield Royal Infirmary.

Recalling sister Iona’s party in February 2009, Mr Ruddick said: “My only other option was to run away across the field but I cannot leave my sister.

“It is just me, my mum and my sister. I have been the man of the house since I was 15”.

Mr Cameron’s father Gordon and step-mum Linda attended the inquest with other friends and relatives.

As emotions rose at the end of his evidence Mr Ruddick was confronted by Mrs Cameron who asked: “If you were fearing for your friend’s life...why did you kill my son with more than one blow of a pick axe handle?”

Mr Ruddick, who had been warned he did not have to say anything that incriminated himself, replied: “I never intended...”

He was then interrupted by Dr Straker who said: “Members of the family I will have to draw the line.”

Mr Ruddick then said: “I am so sorry.”

Six men received jail sentences for their part in the house party brawl but no one has been charged over Mr Cameron’s death.

The hearing was told that a group of friends had celebrated Miss Ruddick’s birthday at Paddock Cricket Club before returning by taxis to her home in Tintern Avenue, Milnsbridge.

During the night Harry Castledine had a row with his ex-girlfriend Anne-Marie Heaton.

Mr Castledine claimed he was threatened with a knife and feared he was going to be attacked.

He left and rang his brother, Mr Dollive, who arrived minutes later with a gang which included Mr Cameron.

Mr Dollive and Mr Cameron were scuffling with two other men when Mr Ruddick hit them both from behind with the pick axe handle.

Mr Ruddick insisted he had hit both men just once but that was denied by Miss Heaton who said Mr Cameron was struck three or four times.

Two post-mortem examinations were carried out which supported Mr Ruddick’s claim that just one blow was likely.

However forensic scientist Miss Michelle Walton said blood staining suggested there may have been two blows.

Summing up, Dr Straker said the conflicting evidence had made his decision harder to determine but added: “The post-mortem evidence which says there is no evidence of repeated blows was compelling”.

Giving evidence Mr Ruddick told how he begged Mr Castledine not to call his brother, who he knew and feared.

“I pleaded with him, please don’t bring trouble to my door,” he said.

“I had a gut instinct something was going to happen. I know Harry has rung Dollive to sort his problems out. I know he is no one to mess with.”

Asked how he felt at the time, Mr Ruddick said: “I s*** myself, pardon my language, sir. I was scared.”

Mr Dollive appeared at the inquest from custody. He was handcuffed throughout and flanked by two security officers. There were also another two policemen in court.

Mr Dollive, giving evidence, said his brother had phoned him claiming a man nicknamed Killer Shaun, from Newsome, had put a knife to his throat and threatened him.

His brother had been kicked out and his girlfriend was still inside.

Mr Dollive told how he and others went to the house but he remembered nothing after being hit from behind. He later woke up in hospital.

Mr Castledine, who borrowed a phone to ring his brother, went on: “Stevie and Ben had no idea what hit them. It came from behind.

“He swung like he was playing baseball. He hit both and they fell in a pile on the floor.”

He added: “If I could take back that phone call I would but I can’t. I’m sorry.”

Det Supt Sukhbir Singh, the senior investigating officer, said the inquiry had been thorough, professional and ethical and a report had been sent to the CPS, which took advice from legal counsel for the Director of Public Prosecutions and decided no charges should be brought.

Dr Straker said there was a lot of conflicting evidence but had there been more than one blow the pathologists would have expected more than one skull fracture.

He said a lawful killing verdict should be returned if a person genuinely believed he had used the force necessary even if that blow proved fatal.

Relatives and supporters were angry at the verdict but Mrs Cameron refused to comment afterwards.

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