A man has been found guilty of murdering another man in Blackpool.

Police were called to Central Drive at 5.33pm on Saturday, June 25, following reports of people fighting.

Officers attended and found a victim with a serious head injury.

The man, 22-year-old Ryan David Harvey, from Walsall, was taken to Royal Preston Hospital for treatment.

He never recovered, and was pronounced dead on Tuesday, June 28.

Lancashire Telegraph:

A post-mortem examination concluded that the cause of Ryan’s death was due to blunt head trauma.

Police Force Major Investigation Team launched a murder inquiry, and two men were charged.

Following a trial at Preston Crown Court, Paul Atherton, 38, of Knowsley Crescent, Thornton, was found guilty of murder.

A second man had earlier admitted a charge of assaulting Mr Harvey.

Thomas Heaney, 32, of Cross Street, Fleetwood was originally charged with murder following consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service, but he admitted a charge of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and the murder charge was dropped.

He was sentenced earlier.

A representative from Lancashire Police said: "The court heard that while both Atherton and Heaney punched Ryan Harvey, it is clear from the CCTV and expert medical evidence that Atherton struck the fatal blow.

"Atherton was also convicted of assault and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place.

"He will be sentenced tomorrow (Thursday, November 2)."