Detectives have praised a Bournemouth family after a second trial confirmed a manslaughter conviction.
Thomas Betteridge, aged 20 and of Bournemouth, was found guilty of manslaughter and possessing a bladed article in a public place following a retrial at Bournemouth Crown Court relating to the stabbing of Cameron Hamilton, who was aged 18.
Officers were alerted to an altercation in The Square at around 1.25am on Saturday 5 August 2023, where a young man was reported to have suffered a suspected stab injury, prompting an immediate emergency response in the town centre.
Despite officers reaching the scene within seconds and paramedics providing urgent treatment, Cameron was pronounced at the scene, with Betteridge arrested later that night before being charged following an investigation by the Major Crime Investigation Team.
A previous manslaughter conviction in March 2024 was overturned on appeal, leading to a retrial that concluded on Wednesday 4 February 2026 with a second guilty verdict, ahead of sentencing listed for Friday 8 May 2026.
Detective Chief Inspector Neil Third said the family had shown dignity while campaigning on knife crime through their Changes Are Made charity, adding that officers would continue supporting awareness work and thanked colleagues and prosecutors involved in the case.
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