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Nightclub killer is jailed

17/ 2/2003

A 21-YEAR-OLD Hyndburn man who admitted killing a teenager following an incident at a nightclub has been jailed for 30 months.

Christopher Britcliffe, of John Street, Clayton-le-Moors, denied murdering 18-year-old Gavin Tattersall on May 26 last year, but pleaded guilty to manslaughter.

His father, Ian Britcliffe, 42, also of John Street, a doorman at Churchills nightclub in Accrington, admitted assaulting Mr Tattersall and was given a two year community rehabilitation order.

He had already served the equivalent of a three month sentence.

A third man, Kenneth Halstead, 42, of South View, Haslingden, denied a separate assault charge involving another man, and no evidence was offered and a not guilty verdict was entered.

Mr Tattersall, 18, of Cambridge Drive, Padiham, died of head injuries following an incident at Churchills.

The court was told how Mr Tattersall had been out celebrating with a group of friends when a group of six or seven men including Christopher Britcliffe, went onto the dance floor. The court heard Mr Britcliffe was seen to punch Gavin Tattersall in the face.

For the full story see Friday's Observer.