Man killed enemy with chisel

Matthew Hornsby was attacked in Leslie Close, Swindon

A man who stabbed a 25-year-old to death with a chisel has been convicted of manslaughter.

Matthew Hornsby died on 3 April last year when he was set upon in a residential area of Swindon and stabbed in the back.

Michael Ephgrave, 19, of west Swindon, was cleared of murdering Mr Hornsby, but found guilty of his manslaughter.

Bristol Crown Court had earlier heard there was a history of "bad blood" between the pair.

Matthew Hornsby was stabbed last April

Three other men were cleared of murder when the judge ruled there was no case to answer.

Nicholas Sheppard, 35, of Freshbrook, Daniel Porter, 28, of West Swindon and Michael Ephgrave's father Andrew Ephgrave, 42, of Grange Park, all admitted violent disorder.

The jury was told Mr Hornsby was "a man who could look after himself" and that he had a history of convictions.

Michael Ephgrave stabbed Matthew in the back

But they heard that on the night he was killed, the 25-year-old did not stand a chance.

Mr Hornsby and Michael Ephgrave were involved in a confrontation outside the Freshbrook shops in Swindon on the evening of the attack.

A fight took place outside the shops when Mr Hornsby, who had been drinking, smashed the window of Michael Ephgrave's car.

Michael Ephgrave ran into a nearby shop to call his father Andrew for help.

Andrew Ephgrave, Michael Ephgrave and the two other men were then involved in a confrontation in nearby Leslie Close.

In the scuffle, the court was told, Michael Ephgrave panicked and stabbed Matthew Hornsby in the back with a chisel. He died later in hospital.

Michael Ephgrave was remanded in custody. The men will be sentenced on February 20.