A man is facing a "lengthy" jail sentence for killing a man he never laid a finger on.

Jason Goodhew was so scared of being beaten up by violent traveller Daniel Benney he jumped into a lake in a bid to get away.

But Mr Goodhew drowned at the South Ockendon lake and his killer told police later he was not going to risk his life to save him.

Benney had already beaten up Mr Goodhew as he did not approve of him seeing his 15-year-old stepdaughter Kirstie Nelson, Chelmsford Crown Court heard.

Benney, of Buckles Lane, South Ockendon, denied the manslaughter of 24-year-old Mr Goodhew on September 11 last year but it took a jury less than an hour to convict him.

He was remanded in custody for a psychiatric report after trial Judge Brian Watling QC heard Benney had previous convictions for robbery, violence and carrying weapons.

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