Jury clears Terence Hardy of murder of Dean Gray in case of warring Gypsy family at Lincoln Crown Court
A jury has acquitted a man of murder in the case of a warring Gypsy family.
The jury at Lincoln Crown Court took more than a day to find Terence Hardy, 35, not guilty of the murder of Dean Gray.
Dean Gray, 46, died in hospital two days after being repeatedly punched in a family feud fight and falling to the ground and hitting his head.
The incident took place at Fairfield Motors on Main Road, Long Bennington, on August 11 2021.
Terence Hardy, 35, denied murder, but had previously admitted manslaughter. Hardy’s father-in-law, Stuart Gray Snr, 63, was found not guilty of manslaughter and possession of an offensive weapon.
There were audible gasps in the courtroom as today's verdict was returned.
Hardy was told by the trial judge that he faces a substantial amount of time in prison for manslaughter and he was remanded into custody for a sentencing date to be fixed.
The jury was thanked for their care and consideration of the case, which has lasted around two weeks.
In closing arguments before the jury was asked to deliberate, Mr Selby, defending Hardy, said: “This was never meant to happen and, in truth, you may think that what killed Dean Gray was a freak accident.
“In Gypsy bare knuckle fights, the fight ends when one is ‘best’.
“Mr Gray did not give best and was quite content to carry on.
"The Crown know and know only too well there was no intention to kill. When you assess the evidence and the traditions of the Gypsy heritage, the only right verdict is one of not guilty.”
Mr Parr, defending Stuart Snr had urged the jury to put faith in the CCTV imagery they had viewed and acquit his client.
Mr Scamardella, prosecuting, told the jury that Mr Gray walked into Grantham Hospital A&E after the incident, blood pouring from his head, not knowing he was dying.
Much of what happened was captured on CCTV and was witnessed by Dean Gray's children.
Mr Scamardella claimed while Hardy did not deserve what happened to him in the incident prior to the fight — where he was hit with some kind of rod — Hardy’s only thought was to get revenge on Dean and his father Steven Gray.
“As he was leaving the site, it was Hardy’s case he was challenged to a fight from Dean — a challenge he says is impossible to refuse in Gypsy culture, to not be labelled a sh*thouse,” said Mr Scamardella.
Mr Parr said: “Put yourself in Stuart’s shoes.
“Just imagine this dreadful situation — you go there hoping to settle the matter without violence, a fight kicks off, and someone tragically bangs his head on the concrete. It’s beggar’s belief.
“The camera never lies. When you look at the CCTV, he does not do anything to encourage that fight at all.”