Soldier cleared of manslaughter

Daniel Gooda said he punched Timothy Moore in self-defence

A soldier accused of killing a man on a night out in Norwich has been cleared of manslaughter by a jury but found guilty of affray.

Household Cavalry member Daniel Gooda, of Combermere Barracks, Windsor, was also cleared of assaulting a police officer in the incident on 28 March.

Gooda, 26, had denied all offences at his trial at Norwich Crown Court.

Father-of-two Timothy Moore, 30, of Norwich, died six days after suffering head injuries in a fight.

'Protecting a friend'

The incident happened outside the Sing Sing bar in Prince of Wales Road.

Jurors were told Mr Moore did not regain consciousness after the incident.

Gooda told police that he had been enjoying a night out in Norwich and had "acted immediately and instinctively" to protect his friend Jason Brookes, also a soldier, said prosecutor John Farmer.

"I did this by throwing a punch," said Gooda.

"I believe I acted reasonably in the circumstances. I didn't wish to cause Mr Moore harm."

The Household Cavalry Trooper, who comes from near Norwich, is due to be sentenced on Friday.