Sentencing delayed by suicide bid

Stone (in the hat) and Rodgers had admitted manslaughter

A man guilty of the manslaughter of two teenage friends attempted to commit suicide on the day he was due to be sentenced in court.

Barry Stone, 38, admitted manslaughter after incorrectly fitting a gas fire at a flat in Kitchener Road, Great Yarmouth, Norfolk.

Michael Frosdick, 19, and Keith Reynolds, 17, were found dead at the flat on 17 March 2003.

Stone and landlord Stanley Rodgers, 61, both admitted manslaughter.

Rodgers of Market Place, Great Yarmouth, admitted manslaughter in January.

Stone, a handyman from St Nicholas Road in the town, changed his plea from not guilty on 1 March 2004.

Michael Frosdick (left) and Keith Reynolds died

On Friday they were both due to be sentenced, but only Rodgers appeared at Norwich Crown Court.

John Farmer, prosecuting, said Stone had attempted suicide on Friday morning.

The court was told the attempt was stopped and he was not badly hurt.

He was then arrested and taken into custody in Great Yarmouth where he will remain until Monday when he and Rodgers, who was granted bail, are now due to be sentenced.