Attack victim: Graeme Pounder

A TEENAGER has admitted unintentionally killing one of his friends with a single blow on a nightclub dance floor.

Joseph Longstaff, 18, of Hollyhill Gardens, Stanley, pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Graeme Pounder, 21, at Newcastle Crown Court.

The court heard Longstaff struck Mr Pounder who collapsed instantly and died at Newcastle General Hospital two days later.

Longstaff, who had previously pleaded not guilty to murder, was remanded in custody until July 21, when he will be sentenced.

Judge Esmond Faulks told the court he accepted the manslaughter charge because he agreed Longstaff did not intend to kill or to do really serious harm to the victim.

Both Longstaff and Graeme Pounder were attending a party celebration of a mutual friend at The Loft nightclub in Durham City, in March.

There were about 200 clubbers in the building at the time of the attack.

Mr Pounder, a gardener and taxi desk clerk, was on a life support machine for two days before it was switched off with his family by his side. It is thought he had had a heart attack after the incident and suffered brain damage.

Graeme was described by his family as a loving and caring son who liked to party'.

He had suffered tragedy in his life when his daughter, Kaitlin, was still-born in 2003. A year later his brother, Kevin, was killed in a car accident, aged 20.

Graeme, a Newcastle United fan who was buried in his club's shirt with his name and the number one on the back, was buried alongside his brother.

Hundreds of friends and relatives gathered to pay their last respects and every seat in St Andrew's Church, in Stanley, was taken, with dozens more well-wishers standing quietly outside.

A black and white flag, bearing the Magpies' club crest was draped on his coffin.

The sentencing of Longstaff was adjourned for reports.

11:11am Friday 4th July 2008

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