Man (30) cleared of killing pal he helped

May 29 2008

A MAN who sat on a drug-crazed yob to stop him attacking his friend was on Friday cleared of killing him.

Gordon Stewart had gone to help pal Cameron Dalziel, who was being throttled by cocaine-fuelled Robert Pringle.

Stewart pulled Pringle away and restrained him to stop a further assault at a house in Wishaw, Lanarkshire.

But he lost consciousness and died due to heart problems and a cocktail of drink and drugs.

Despite Stewart coming to the aid of his friend, he was later charged with killing Pringle and went on trial at the High Court in Glasgow.

His QC slammed the decision to prosecute, claiming the 30-year-old did the “minimum” anyone would do in such a situation.

Stewart was on Friday acquitted of culpable homicide after a jury returned a not proven verdict.

He broke down in tears as he left the courtroom and was hugged by family and friends. He was too upset to comment afterwards.

The trial heard how the men had been celebrating the birth of Mr Dalziel’s child at his home in Bluebell Wynd, Wishaw, last October 21.

Pringle — who was high on drink and drugs — later flew into a rage and went for Mr Dalziel. He tried to escape upstairs, but Pringle followed and dragged him back down.

Mr Dalziel, who was injured, shouted for Stewart to help him as Pringle wrapped his hands around his throat.

The court heard that Stewart managed to haul Pringle away and pinned him to the ground.

While being restrained, Pringle stopped breathing and Stewart gave him the kiss of life. He also called for police and an ambulance. When paramedics arrived, they found a distraught Stewart outside crying. He told them: “I did not mean it.”

Stewart, of Shawfield Crescent, Law, Lanarkshire, was later charged with killing Pringle and faced a possible jail-term for helping his friend.