A MAN has been cleared of murdering a 23-year-old fisherman outside a Royal British Legion club – but he has been convicted of his manslaughter.

Draven Jewell, 21, from Flushards, Lymington, was found guilty of unlawfully killing Max Maguire in Lymington by a jury at Winchester Crown Court.

They found him not guilty of murder, following a month-long trial.

Draven Jewell had previously pleaded guilty to possession of an offensive weapon - a Huusk chef’s knife – in a public place.

The court heard that Mr Maguire had been stabbed after a fight broke out in an alleyway near the entrance of the Royal British Legion Club in High Street, Lymington, at around midnight on Friday, October 22.

He was pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics.

During the incident, another 23-year-old man was also stabbed, suffering life-changing injuries, which required several emergency operations. A 23-year-old woman also suffered serious injuries to her chest which needed hospital treatment.

Draven Jewell fled the scene and returned home, where he was later arrested in the early hours of Saturday morning.

He was acquitted of the attempted murder of Mr Maguire’s friend, Luke Grey but convicted of wounding him. He was cleared of an alternative wounding charge.

The defendant was also convicted of wounding another friend, Georgia Hole, and acquitted of an alternative wounding charge.

He will be sentenced at Winchester Crown Court on June 17.

Draven Jewell’s brother Garon Jewell, 19, from Flushards, Lymington, was formally acquitted over his part in the incident after the prosecution offered no evidence.

Detective Chief Inspector Rod Kenny, who led the investigation. said: “The verdict comes at the end of a seven-month investigation and whilst Draven Jewell claimed he acted in lawful self-defence, in passing their verdict today, the jury found this not to be the case. “Draven Jewell’s use of a knife that fateful night has taken a life far too soon.

“Our thoughts remain with Max’s family, his friends and the two people seriously injured during the course of this devastating incident.”

The court heard that a fight broke out after a disagreement between two groups in the club after one person challenged Garon Jewell over his age.

Tensions also rose over a nitrous oxide canister Draven Jewell had found and taken to the club but refused to sell to the other group which contained the three victims.

Mr Gray, 23, suffered two serious wounds to his lower back which required emergency hospital treatment, and Ms Hole, 23, suffered a less serious injury to her chest.

Adam Feest QC, prosecuting, said the violence lasted about 20 seconds, and added: “Max Maguire died within moments from a wound he received to the left side of his chest, a knife wound, this had penetrated his lung and damaged a major artery internally and caused catastrophic and non-survivable injuries.”