Teen guilty of manslaughter after dad-of-three dies

A teenager has been convicted of manslaughter following the death of a father-of-three whose family said "had a heart of gold".

Andrew Roche, 42, died in hospital on 11 August last year after being attacked near Ulster Avenue and Waterford Road, Ipswich, on 25 July.

Thomas Watchman, 38, of Wicklow Road, Ipswich, and a teenage boy were arrested and charged with manslaughter.

After a trial at Ipswich Crown Court, a jury found the teenager guilty of the offence but cleared Watchman, instead convicting him of assault by beating.

Watchman was jailed for eight weeks. The teenager is due to be sentenced in April.

At an inquest last year, Suffolk Coroner's Court heard how Roche had "crumpled" to the ground after being attacked.

Det Insp Daniel Connick said CCTV had captured "the sound of his head hitting the floor".

After being treated by paramedics at the scene in the Whitehouse area of town, he was taken to hospital before discharging himself against medical advice.

He eventually returned to hospital, where he later died.

Senior area coroner Nigel Parsley adjourned the inquest until the conclusion of the criminal case.

Following his death, the victim's family paid tribute to the son, brother, dad and uncle who was affectionately known as "Rochie".

"Andrew had an infectious smile, and he knew how to make people laugh," they said in a statement.

"He was such a comical character. He was a good friend to many and would do anything for anybody. He had a heart of gold.

"Andrew adored his three children and loved his nephews and nieces; he just loved his family, as they did him.

"Andrew's passion was music, he loved doing MC-ing in the pubs or karaoke and was always listening to music and singing."

Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.