A MAN has been found not guilty of the manslaughter of his mother's partner who died after suffering a head injury at a holiday park.

Jamie Mitchell, of Apple Close in Poole, was acquitted by a jury at Winchester Crown Court.

The defendant, 35, shouted: "Yes" and put his hands to his face when the verdict was announced.

He visibly shook in the dock afterwards.

The trial heard that Mitchell had gone to stay with his mother, Samantha Mitchell, and her partner, 64-year-old Kenneth Dickie, at their holiday home at Rockley Park on May 7 last year.

Charles Gabb, prosecuting, told the trial that the group had been drinking and Mrs Mitchell and Mr Dickie said their relationship had ended.

Mr Gabb said this led to a fight between the defendant and Mr Dickie outside a bar onsite, which was stopped when bystanders intervened.

The prosecution alleged that a few minutes later, at about 1am on May 8, a further confrontation happened between Mr Dickie and the mother and son outside their unit.

Mr Dickie suffered a fractured skull and a severe head injury and was treated at the scene by paramedics but died a week later in hospital.

Prosecutors alleged Mrs Mitchell and her son both told police that Mr Dickie had pushed her and she had pushed him back, causing him to fall.

He said this was a lie and both the defendant and his mother had pleaded guilty to attempting to pervert the course of justice in relation to this false account.

Both the defendant and Mrs Mitchell, 57, also of Apple Close, will be sentenced for this offence on February 6.

The defendant will also be sentenced for an offence of common assault in connection with the earlier attack on Mr Dickie.