A TEENAGER found dead in the street had been unlawfully killed, an inquest ruled this week.

Coroner Michael Singleton recorded the verdict on Daniel James Freeston, 19, who was found dead in Water Street, Accrington, with serious head injuries in the early hours of 9 July last year.

The hearing heard he died after he walked into a man's house and demanded money from him, and the homeowner held him in a headlock.

At the time Mr Freeston was on police bail charged with raping a 19-year-old girl at a house party.

John Butterworth, 50, was charged with murder but the charges were dropped in November after the Crown Prosecution Service decided not to pursue the case.

His solicitor said at the time that the case of Norfolk farmer Tony Martin, jailed in 2000 for killing a 16-year-old intruder, had been a major influence on the decision.

Mr Freeston's mum Tracy Collier said after the inquest: "We have got the verdict we wanted and now we just ask that people leave us in peace."

The inquest heard that Mr Freeston, who had strong links with Accrington but was living in Blackburn at the time of his death, had traces of alcohol and drugs including cannabis and cocaine in his system.

He had gone to Mr Butterworth's home with two friends to ask for money.

In a statement, one of the friends, Darren McFarlane, said: "I got a taxi to my mum's house where she was having a party. Some people wanted cigarettes so I went with Daniel and another lad to get them."

He said Mr Freeston told him he could get money and when he asked where from he said he could just walk in and get it. They then went to Water Street.

Mr McFarlane said he overheard an argument between Mr Freeston and Mr Butterworth.

When he was told he didn't have any money, Mr Freeston replied: "Give me some or I'll bang you."

He and the other man were about to leave when there was a scuffle.

Later Mr Butterworth was seen by passer-by, Darren MacKenzie outside his house, holding Mr Freeston in a headlock.

In a statement Mr Mackenzie said: "I couldn't see the other man's body, only his head, and his face was literally blue.''

He added: "I also saw a small pool of blood. The man was panicky and told me to ring the police."

Detective Constable Mark Green, of Blackburn Police, said when interviewed, Mr Butterworth stated that Mr Freeston had walked into his house and lunged at him. He said he had grabbed Mr Freeston in a headlock, which he kept on for around 15 minutes.

Mr Singleton said the cause of death had been pressure on the neck, which may have resulted in asphyxiation.