Man jailed for killing teenager in town centre

A man has been jailed for eight years at a young offenders institution after he was found guilty of killing a teenager who was stabbed in a town centre.

Cameron Hamilton, 18, died after a late-night altercation in The Square in Bournemouth in August 2023.

Thomas Betteridge, 20, was found guilty of his manslaughter and of possessing a bladed article in a public place and has been sentenced following a second trial at Bournemouth Crown Court.

He was previously convicted of manslaughter in March 2024 and given a nine-year sentence, but that conviction was later overturned on appeal, resulting in a retrial.

Hamilton, who was from Bournemouth, died at the scene of the stabbing despite attempts by police and paramedics to save him.

Dorset Police said Betteridge, who is also from Bournemouth, was later found and arrested in the town centre that same evening.

He was charged but was subsequently acquitted of murdering Hamilton after arguing self-defence.

Det Ch Insp Neil Third, of the major crime investigation team, said: "Cameron's family has had to endure the horrific ordeal of losing their loved one and the strength and dignity they have shown throughout the lengthy court process has been to their immense credit."

He praised the work of the officers who responded on the night and those who have worked on the investigation.

He added: "Since Cameron's tragic death, his family has campaigned tirelessly to raise awareness of the tragic consequences of knife crime through their Changes Are Made charity.

"We also remain steadfastly committed to doing all we can to raise awareness of the devastating impact of these offences and will do everything in our power to ensure those who commit knife related crimes are identified and face the consequences of their actions."

In a statement released after the original verdicts, Hamilton's family said he was "loved by all that had the pleasure of knowing him".

"He was a loving and caring, intelligent, polite young man with his whole life ahead of him. He is missed so much by us all.

"We as a family still remain and always will be, truly devastated by the loss of our beautiful Cam, we will never get over his life being so horribly taken from him. Our lives are changed forever."